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Ne« rork 14609 USA .^B (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone ^S (716) 288 - 5989 - Fax ^m mmmmmm wm wmm^f^mm II .- - VJ i 'i f HH-UH f jiW !iK » t}mf,' -iifc.Sii •»-4^^ 'W THE LOST JEWEL OF THS MORTIMERS. BY ANNA T. SADLIER. ST. LOUIS. MO. 1904. PablUhed by B. HSBDSK. 17 South Broadway. I ' I i * * I ll COFVRIGHT 1904 BY JOSBPH GUMMBRSBACB. -BECKTOLD — PRINTINa AND BCX3K MFC CO. ST. LOWS, MCW . . . • • * • • . ■ CONTENTS. Chapter. Page. I. The Mansion at Pine Bluff. ... 5 li. The Reading of the Document. . 19 III. Julian tells his Mother 33 IV. Anselm Benedict 45 V. The First Test and its Results . . 58 VI. A Camp in the Forest 73 VII. The Adv ntures of a Night ... 92 VIII. The Mad Hermit 107 IX. An Afternoon's Adventures . , . 121 yd The Cavern in the Forest .... 138 XI. Among Smugglers 153 XII. To the Rescue 169 XIII. Julian meetJ with Misfortune . . 181 XIV. Before the Third Test ...... aoo XV. The Final Test 220 XVI. Success at last 235 XVII. Joy all round 247 N^^NuN "THE LOST JEWEL OP THE MORTIMERS" IS REPRINTED FROM THE "AVE MARIA" IN WHICH IT APPEARED AS A SERIAL. 1- The Lost Jewel of the Mortimers. Chapter i. The Mansion at Pine Bluff. When Julian Mortimer received the invita- tion to visit his grandfather at Pine Bluff, near the sea, it was, indeed, an event in his life; though he by no means understood its import. He supposed, in his careless boy- fashion, that the old gentleman had suddenly grown w ^ry of solitude and had bethought himself city relatives, who seldom got a wiiiff of .dit-air or a glimpse of the country. Hit* •mother, who was better informed, looked sc ^e-vhat pale and anxious, standing thought- fully at the window commanding the street, on the morning fixed for the departure. She heard Julian announcing the good tidings to sundry of his boy friends who had not already heard them: (5) 6 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "I'm going down to Pine Bluff to my grandfather's, and I guess I'm going to have a pretty good time, — I'm sure of it. There's lets of boating there, and a pony to ride and a. gun to shoot with." "Shoot what?" inquired one of his hearers, with a touch of mockery. Julian replied, rather vaguely: "Oh, rabbits, birds, anything! Bother that carriage! Why doesn't it come? We'll be late for the train," "There's time enough," observed his mother from the window. "It wants nearly an hour of train time." Julian, by way of passing the time, began to hop up and down the block on one leg, and presently engaged in a friendly tussle with his next-door neighbor. Anything was preferable to keeping still. Meanwhile his mother at her post of observation was re- flecting. "He may find his grandfather rather stern, and I'm afraid of that matter of the jewel. I'm sure those tests are dangerous, and — " Julian interrupted her by a great shout. The carriage was in sight. Mrs. Mortimer quietly put on her widow's bonnet and but- THE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. 7 toned her coat. She knelt a moment, as was her habit, to ask for protection on the journey. Then she gathered up the various small articles of luggage — the trunks having already gone, — and preceded her restless son into the waiting vehicle. The journey was an uneventful one, and to Julian rather wearisome; though he flattened his nose against the pane in the effort to see everything. But he felt as if he should never arrive at that mysterious, wonderful end of the journey, which seemed like a leap into the future; for he pictured to himself all sorts of glories in connection therewith. He talked incessantly — that is, in the intervals of regal- ing himself with "peppermint chew" or sucking an orange, — and asked his mother all manner of questions. It was afternoon when the first, strong, pungent whiff of salt-air reached them and delighted the city boy's nostrils. But it was dusk when the train drew up with a jerk, and mother and son found themselves at a country station, where many others were alighting too. Vehicles of various kinds stood waiting, and greetings were shouted to arriv- ing passengers from groups of loungers on the 8 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. platform. A tall figure in dark green livery presently stepped up to where Mrs. Mortimer stood, looking around her uncertainly. "Mrs. Robert Mortimer?" inquired the man. On being answered in the affirmative, he seized the lady's satchels and led the way to a handsome family carriage, of somewhat old-fashioned make. Julian felt quite in awe of this equipage, as well as of the solemn coachman, who shut them in as if he were imprisoning them for life. But when the splendid pair of horses were once in motion, going at a rapid pace over a smooth r ad, the boy could not contain his delight. He thrust his head out of the window and fairly hur- rahed to the ocean, as he caught sight of it, foaming and wave-crested, booming on the rocky shore, at the foot of the bluff along which they were driving. His mother had to restrain him several times, having a whole- some respect for the grave official on the box. At last the carriage came to a stone wall, severely plain and spiked on top with iron spikes, and drove through a huge iron gatt ; which with a touch of his whip the coachniau caused to clang behind them. This gave the i, THE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. 9 mother an uncanny feeling of the closing of prison gates upon her, but Julian cried: "Isn't this jolly, mother? It's exactly like a storybook. I hope there'll be some other fellows round, though; and then we'll have a tiptop time." "There is certainly no 'fellow' at your grandfather's," replied Mrs. Mortimer, "un- less he has invited some of the others." "What others?" inquired Julian, wonder- ingly. His mother was silent. The "others" vaguely referred to the various branches of her husband's family, with whom, however, she had no acquaintance. Fortunately, Julian's attention was distracted by the scarlet berries of the sumach, and by the squirrels darting about and curiously eying the equipage as it swept round the curves of the avenue. On either side were glorious trees, promising many a game of hide-and-seek. Julian, with the eye of a connoisseur, had already selected certain of the tallest trees, which he meant to climb on the morrow. t. His interest was finally absorbed, however, by the house when it appeared in sight, — long, low and of colonial fashion, with so lO THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. many windows, a veranda tunning all about it, thick ivy concealing its outer walls, and with a general air of well-being which pleased and impressed the travellers. As they alighted, a tall, somewhat florid gentleman, very care- fully dressed and with the evidences of pros- perity in his whole appearance, advanced to the head of the steps, greeting the new ar- rivals courteously. Immediately in his wake appeared a trim housemaid, who seized satch- els and umbrellas and vanished as if she had been an automaton. •'Welcome, my dear Mrs. Robert!" ex- claimed the old gentleman. "And welcome, Julian!" »His keen eyes surveyed the fine, manly figure of his grandson standing before him, cap in hand, with bright, upturned face, and fearless eyes of brown, and chestnut curls clustering close-cut about the head. "He has an air of being — adventurous," commented the grandfather. "Well, we shall give scope to that sort of thing here; and really he is very like, very like him/^ Mrs. Mortimer smiled nervously, knowing the other's meaning. "He doesn't resemble his father at all," THE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. IX went on Mr. Mortimer, — "not in the least." "No, not in the least," agreed Mrs. Mortimer. "Hi is exactly the opposite in every respect." "The better for this quest," remarked the grandfather, somewhat dryly. "But I am keeping you sta' ing here. How very thoughtless! Pray enter!" He ushered l-otli visitors into an apartment which tv) Julian appeared the very synonym for luxury: the lozenged windows, with vivid yellow panes ; the hard wood floor rug-strewn ; the piano, the pictures, the easy-cnairs and divans. "Rest for a few moments in the morning room," said the old gentleman. "The maid will bring you tea aid show you to your apartments. We shall meet at dinner at half past seven. We are very punctual here, Master Julian. " He shook his finger playfully at the boy, as if he suspt.'cted him of the opposite quality of unpunctuality ; but Julian was quite un- aisturbed by the suggestion, though it brought a contraction to his mother's smooth brow. The grandfather havi «5[one, Julian's eyes grew big and round as stared hard at all the costly objects about him, walking with 12 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. hands deep in his pockets, and occasionally giving an involuntary whistle. "Mother", he said at length, in a somewhat subdued tone, "it's just like one of those castles I used to read about 'vhen I was a kid." "It is acastie of mystery," said thf: mother, absently. "Of mystery?" cried Julian, eagerly catch- ing at the word. "I mean that I know so little about it," explained the mother evasively. "It always puzzles me, and so does its master." "Grandfather?" cried Julian. "Oh, he's fine, mother! And he has such grand clothes, and I saw him take out such a watch! I wish it was dinner-time, so as to see him again, and hear what he's got to say." The maid entering with tea cut short Julian's discourse; and presently she led them up to a delightful suit of apartments, cheerful and sunny in daytime, but which just then were brilliantly lighted with electric lamps. A great linden thrust its branches in at the sitting-room window; and on the huge hearth blazed a fire, for the evenings were chill. Julian stretched himself full-length on the TnE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. 13 rug, and gave way to quite unusual inaction as he gazed into ^lie fire. He was lost in thought, for his mind was already full of dreams and plans. His mother, having completed her toilet, sat lost in thought, till a great gong, resonant but silvery sweet and clear, rang through the house, and at the same moment a tall clock, which Julian had remarked upon the stair- case, sounded half past cMeven. "Dinner!" cried Julian, adding that he was "as hungry as a hunter", and rushing to open the door and precede his mother downstairs. When the two approached the drawing-room, the door was thrown open by a servant, and they found themselves in presence of the mas- ter of the house and of three boys, all stand- ing silently and somewhat uncomfortably about the stately and gorgeously appointed apartment. "Oh, goody!" said Julian to himself. "There are some fellows here. I wonder who they are? I guess they must be the 'others'." For he remembered his mother's phrase. He gazed at them cheerfully and with interest, while his grandfather spoke as follows: "Mrs. Robert and Master Julian, these are 14 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. 4* Masters William Sedgwick, John Jacob, and Walter Worthington, belonging respectively to the families of Sedgwick Mortimer, Jacob Mortimer, and Worthington Mortimer." They were, indeed, the "others". Mrs. Robert Mortimer inclined her head and srr^led at each boy in turn. Julian greeted them all with easy and cordial good-fellowship, to which each lad responded according to his nature. They were all very different, the one ^ from the other, in manners and appearance; the first named being short, thickset and freckled; the second, tall, dark and hatchet- V, faced; the third, blue-eyed, pale and with nondescript hair. Mr. Mortimer, taking out the handsome gold repeater which had so attracted his grandson's fancy, tapped it significantly, saying: **In consequence of this ceremony of intro- duction, we are exactly five minutes late for dinner,— quite an unusual occurrence." He gave his arm to his daughter-in-law, and the boys all passed in together, in a some- what sheepish silence, which even Julian did not feel inclined to break. Mrs. Mortimer was placed at her father-in- THE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. 15 law's right hand; Sedgwick, the thickset lad, in virtue of age, sat opposite. "Julian, I believe, is the youngest," ob- served the grandfather, eying the boy as he spoke. '•I'm fifteen my next birthday," declared Julian promptly,— at which the other boys stared; for they stood in awe of the florid old gentleman and would by no means have addressed him uninvited. "Fifteen is quite an advanced age," said the grandfather, in a tone which somehow left a slightly disagreeable impression on the mother's mind. "But it still leaves you, Master Julian, in the position of the youngest. Sedgwick is, I am informed, seventeen, John Jacob sixteen, and Walter Worthington a month or two younger. But you are still old enough to take your share of what may be demanded of you, and to enjoy adventure; otherwise you should not be here." As none of the boys understood the mean- ing of this mysterious speech, they made no attempt to answer, and silently devoted them- selves, with an appetite which even the old gentleman's presence could not subdue, to the excellent dinner — soup, roast fowls, tender vegetables, puddings, cakes and fruit. l6 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. *'To-inorrow morning I will see you all in the library," said the grandfather, dis rissing the boys from his presence and courteously leading his daughter-in-law to the morning room, where he invited her to seek recreation in the magazines and light literature strewn about, or to try some of the new music which stood temptingly in a stand by the grand piano. This promised a treat to Mrs. Robert, who was an excellent musician; but she felt inexplicably anxious and heavy-hearted, and could not bring herself to disturb the silence of the room by any music of hers. "You will excuse me, I know, — for to- night at least," said the host. **My evenings are usually devoted to my books. In my lib- rary I always find perfectly congenial society, and so have got into unsocial habits." His daughter-in-law begged of him to make no change in his custom on her account, and felt a very sensible relief when he left her to her own thoughts. Meanwhile the boys were out on the lawn, looking about and talking busily. Julian, within a few minutes, had inquired of his cousins what school they went to, what clas- ses they were in, whether they had got to the THE MANSION AT PINE BLUFF. 17 ti asses' bridge" in geometry, where they lived, and who were their chums. Sedgwick was disposed to treat him with good-natured contempt as a •'kid'' ; John Jacob was reserved and somewhat moody ; but to Walter Worth- ington Julian was soon displaying a valued pocketknife which had got mixed up with the rosary given to the boy by his teacher, and on which he faithfully said his beads once a day. Walter responded with similar marks of confidence, displaying a hard-wood top, a fishing line, and d bit of punk, relic of past fireworks. •*Rum placv this," grumbled John Jacob. ♦♦Oh, I think it's fine!" ♦♦You do, curly pate,— do you?" laughed Sedgwick. ♦♦So do I. Wouldn't mind own- ing it." ♦'lyook here, why do you think it's rum, John Jacob?" inquired Julian. ♦♦Say, cut that!" retorted the hatchet- faced one. ♦'Call me Jake. And I think it's rum because it is." Though they thus disagreed on one im- portant point, they very soon joined the others in a game of leapfrog, till a bell sounded and a peremptory message came from their grand- l8 THE LOST JKWKL OF THE MORTIMERS. father that this was the signal for bed. There was much grumbling, especially ou the part of John Jacob. Julian acquiesced with cheer- ful philosophy; Walter — or, as he had re- quested to be called, "Wat" — s. i little; and Sedgwick's growling was toleiauly good- natured. So night and darkness found Julian and the ''others" at Pine Bluff with but little realization of how momentous was the oc- casion. Chapter II. The Reading of the Document. The following morning brought a summon^ for each boy to the library; and even Juliau despite his natural fearlessness, felt timid when he passed within the porti. of that vast room, sacred to the privacy of old Mr. Mortimer. That gentleman sat at a table with a parchment spread out before him. The document was yellow with age and sealed with quaint seals. The grandfather looked paler than his wont, and there was a stem, hard expression upon his face as he fixed his eyes intf tly upon each boy in turn. Julian alone never quailed before him; yet the look seemed to pierce him through and through, and an odd feeling came over the lad that each had been brought there to be tried and condemned to some unknown sentence. **I have brought you here," said Mr. Mor- timer, leaning back in his chair and speaking with deliberation, "to make known to you (19) 20 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. a quest, or competition, which the mad eccentricity of an ancestor has imposed upon his race." There was a world of bitterness in the old man's voice; however, he went on: "It is true you are not obliged to accept these conditions. Any one of you may arise, when he has heard what I have to say, and Have this room and this house, never to re- turn. And who knows but that su^h might not be the wisest course?" The curiosity of the boys was by this time at fever heat, but none of them dared to put a question. "Nevertheless", he added, "you will prob- ably decide otherwise; for youth, generally speaking, is rash, adventurous, full of con- fidence in its own raw metal, and has little to do with wisdom." He paused again, and strange expressions crossed his face, which an older observer might have interpreted as anger, self-contempt , bitterness and regret; but the listeners were anxious only to hear the end of this wondrous narrative. "I may as well warn you," resumed Mr. Mortimer, "that I attempted to fulfil these THE READING OF THE DOCUMENT. 21 conditions and failed; that each of your fathers failed, — some miserably." The old man's eyes rested on Julian as he spoke the last words. "My father before me failed, his father failed, and so goes back this absurd tradition to the fountain-head. And what has this quixotic whim of our forbear done for his descendants? It has put enmity between father and son, set brother against brother. It has left them all discontented and has pre- vented legitimate effort in any other direction. It has occurred to my mind, moreover, that it may be a myth, a pure invention, an allegory. The lost jewel of which I am about to read to you may have no existence. There may be no hidden room. Now I shall read you the document, and I must modernize the language somehow or it will be impossible for you to follow the visionary's words." He unfolded the document with a hand which trembled somewhat; for he vividly re- called the day upon which he in his youth had heard that reading, and, with beating heart and glowing cheek, had vowed never to rest till he had found the lost jewel of the Mortimers. Well, he had grown weary soon. ■A 22 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. and had found inglorious ease instead. All the rest had been beyond him. Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, he began to read, with- out further comment : "I, Anselm Benedict Mortimer, being an exile from my country for the profession of the Catholic and Roman Faith, and having for that reason, with my father, crossed the seas, am desirous that my descendants she aid be imbued with those qualities of truth, valor, purity and honor which have been theirs since the days of chivalry. I do hereby bequeathe to that one amongst them who shall discover what shall henceforth be known as the lost jewel of the Mortimers — it is a ruby of ex- ceeding great price, of unusual size and col- oring, — the finder of the stone shall come into possession of large sums of money variously invested, with all accumulations thereupon; and, after the death of the occupant then in possession, shall become the owner of the mansion of Pine Bluff, built by my father on first coming to these colonies. "But the discovery of this jewel, which is concealed in a hidden room, can not be made without much diligence and courage; and the seeker must undergo ordeals which shall H THE READING OF THE DOCUMENT. 2$ develop manliness, fortitude, endurance, with a habit of truthfulness. For being discovered in a single falsehood shall disqualify him for the quest; and his conduct must be in imita- tion of those knights who were enrolled in the Order of Chivalry. "Till the jewel be discovered, the aforesaid mansion shall remain in possession of the eldest son of the eldest branch. But even if he have heirs direct, he must relinquish it to him who finds the jewel. Meanwhile he shall have sufficient monies to maintain him in comfort, and, if he will, in the luxury befit- ting his station. "The eldest son of each branch may alone enter the competition; nor may any younger brother be substituted in his place; nor shall it take place until the youngest competitor has attained his fifteenth year. The list of ordtais through which the seekers must pass are here subjoined, but need not be told to them in detail until they shall have entered upon the qu-st. Let them but understand that their courage, fortitude and manliness shall be put to severest tests." Here ended the reading of the document, and the boys looked at one another. To 24 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. ' Julian, at least, it seemed as if the twentieth century had faded away, and as if the grim, wainscoted library were a chamber in some enchanted castle. The books themselves seemed spectral, and the grandfath-r a power- ful enchanter. The possession of the ruby or of the wealth which accompanied it did not appeal very much to Julian: it was the prom- ised adventures which fairly turned his head; the thought of seeking for a lost jewel and a hidden room through unknot. ii dangers and thrilling experiences. True he began to re- member how frequently his mother had been in sore straits for money to meet all expenses, to pay for his education and to keep him clothed and fed. It would be a fine thing to have a lot of money to give her, and the jewel too, and to let her live in this beautiful house forever. He looked about him: the other boys were plainly excited. The hatchet-faced boy was leaning forward, his eager gaze fixed upon the parchment. Sedgwick tapped his foot ner- vously upon the floor, as though he were eager to start that moment upon the quest. Wat's pale face glowed with excitement. "You will have till to-morrow morning," I ft THE READING OF THE DOCUMENT. 25 said Mr. Mortimei, "to decide whether you will accept or not." "Of course we'll accept, sir!" cried Julian, enthusiastically. "What! Can it be you are a mammon- worshiper already. Master Julian?" asked the grandfather, with that peculiar intonation in his voice which always brought a contraction to the smooth brow of Julian's mother. "Oh, it will be such splendid fun, sir!" Julian answered. The old gentleman elevated his eye-brows. "It is the chance of a lifetime," broke in John Jacob, excitedly, "to get rich in an instant!" His voice rang through the room, clear and metallic, with a vibrant eagerness in it strange in one so young. "You, John Jacob, are oblivious to the fun, I perceive," said the grandfather. "What are . unite the practical and the romantic. How about Walter Worthington?" 26 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. **I only wish I were bigger and stronger, — that's all!" cried the pale boy. "But, anyway, I'll try even if it kills me." "It has killed some before now," warned the grandfather. "But youth must take its own wild way, I suppose. However, you have till to-morrow morning to think it over. If after the night's reflection you are still of the same mind, you will be enrolled in the band of fortune-seekers, and will very shortly begin your hunt for the hidden room and the lost jewel, as they are somewhat incorrectly called. I should be inclined to reverse the title and speak of the lost room and the hidden jewel — if, indeed, either one or the other exists." I The coldly doubting cynicism with which he spoke of the possible non-existence of the room and the treasure, had no effect on the sanguine spirits of the boys. They were presently out upon the lawn, talking at the top of their voices, arguing, speculating; already examining the fagade of the mansion for traces of the hidden room; and prepared, had the word been given, to enter upon any ordeal or inaugurate in any way whatever that wonderful series of adventures. "Of course if I ^et it," said Julian, "I'll divide with the rest of you." ill THE READING OF THE DOCUMENT. 27 "No, no," answered John Jacob, who had convinced himself that he, and he alone, must find the jewel, "there's to be no di- vision." > "Find the ruby first, and then we'll see about the rest," observed Sedgwick, dryly. "I know I won't get it," said Walter, des- pondingly; "but I mean to try." "Cheer up, sonny!" urged goodnatured Sedgwick. "You'll gain nothing by being downhearted." "Even if none of us find anything," put in Julian, "we'll have lots of fun." "And cor ; in for some hard knocks, curly pate," said Sedgwick, who commended the lad's spirit in taking an easy and cheerful view of the situation. "Who cares!" cried Julian. "But I wish it were to-morrow. It seems a week off." "And so we all began," commented the grandfather. He was leaning against the library window, which commanded a view of the lawn. Beside him stood his daughter-in- law, who had come to ask him what it all meant, and if her son were to be permitted to tell her of his share in the famous Mortimer secret. He reassured her upon this point. 28 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "I shall certainly advise Julian to give you every detail." "He is sure to tell me," the mother answered, "unless he were forbidden to do so. He has never concealed a thought from me in his life." The old gentleman regarded her with his inscrutable smile. "He is unlike his father," he observed. "The very opposite in every way," agreed Mrs. Mortimer. "His father often, with a view to spare me, withheld confidences, which it would have been better had he given me " "Are you in favor of your boy undertaking this quest?" "That I can answer better when I know more. Of course I have the general know- ledge that in each generation there is some test or ordeal, which the oldest son in the various branches undertakes; but further than that I know little." "It has been a sad business altogether," declared the grandfather. "Some, as you know, went down to the grave sadly dis- appointed, ever yearning for that unattained treasure. Others, again, wandered away into THE READING OF THE DOCUMENT. 29 the by-paths of life, embittered and discon- tented; while others did as I have done, and I suppose were not much the worse for it. After an attempt to fulfil a few of the con- ditions, I dropped out of the contest, and simply put the matter '>ut of my mind. Never has any one succeeded, and for my part I do not believe that success is possible, for the simple reason that the prizes offered do not exist at all, in my opinion." "As far as I am concerned, I would rather he had nothing to do with it," said Mrs. Mortimer. "I would keep him far, far in- deed, from all danger. But it might not be the best thing for the boy. Effort is a great thing; endurance — " Here she was interrupted by the voice of Julian crying: ♦'Mother, mother, where are you?" Excusing herself to Mr. Mortimer, the mother hurried to where Julian stood waiting, breathless. *'I have been upstairs and downstairs look- ing for you," he said. "I want to tell you all about everything. It's the queerest story you ever heard. There's a lot of money and a jewel shut up in a hidden room, and we'll have all sorts of adventures looking for them . ' ' I s t.' 30 THE LOST JEWFX OF THE MORTIMERS. "Let US go up to our rooms, dear," replied his mother in her cahr. way; "and then you can tell me quietly without jumbling your words." "All right, mother!" agreed Julian, and together they mounted the broad stairs, past the tall clock which ticked away the hours so solemnly. "I wish it would go faster!" Julian exclaimed, staring at the timepiece as he passed. "I want it to be to-morrow, till we get enrolled and begin the adventures." "You will begin soon enough," sighed Mrs. Mortimer. "It will be such splendid fun!" cried Julian. "All the other fellows are wild about it too. I'm going to get up at dawn." "You're very brave oversight," smiled his mother. Just as they entered their apartments, Julian, carrjing out a train of thought in his own mind, observed: "John Jacob cares most about the jewel and the money, but I guess all the others want the adventures even more." Mrs. Mortimer's face contracted as, with sudden pain, she thought of another besides John Jacob to whom those mysterious prizes THE REAniNO OF TIIK DOCIMKNT. 31 had become as an absorbing dream, haunting him day and night. "Of course it would be aW right to get the money; wouldn't it, mother?" Julian in- quired. His mother regarded him with a new anxiety. What if avarice should seize upon that noble soul to blight and wither it? But no: the face, open, sunny, fearless, reassured her. She drew a chair to the hearth, and motioned Julian to come near her. "Money, dear boy, is a great power for good and can never be despised. But, O my son, the passion for it has wrought more harm than all else in this weary world!" "I don't care much for it myself," said careless Julian, — "as long as a fe'low has enough to eat and some clothes to wvar. But you can do a lot of things with it, I suppose. O mother, I wish it were to-morrow! And I do wonder what adventure we shall have first?" Julian threw himself down upon the rug as he spoke, and rested his curly head against his mother's knee; and there were a few moments of deep silence, during which the boom of the sea was heard beating fiercely against the rocks. 3a TIIK LOST JI-WKL OF TIIK MORTIMERS. Presently the mother's voice broke the still- ness of the room; "Well, now, Julian, tell me all about it." Chapter IL. Julian Tells His Mother. ••First, mother," began the boy, ''there's some old man— I think he's old, anyway— and he said he was an exile from his countr}- for the Faith. Now, that's fine, mother. I'd rather like to be an exile fcr my religion. But he left a jewel— a great, big ruby— and a lot of money to any fellow that can find the stone. For it's lost in a hidden room, and—" "Did you say any fellow?" "Oh, any of us— the oldest boy in each branch of the Mortimers! And we've all got to look for it— Sedgwick, Jake, Wat and I. Won't it be fun? There's to be lots of ad- ventures, and the old chap wants us to do all kinds of things that are hard and pretty dan- gerous." Mrs. Mortimer's face paled and she sat very still and rigid, her eyes fixed upon the fire; while Julian, who had knelt up beside her in his excitement, watched her with glowing cheeks and eager gaze. 34 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "Did he say what his reason was for mak- ing all these conditions?" she asked presently. *'Oh, yes! He said he wanted his descen- dants to have truth and honor and fortitude and a lot of other things; and he thought having to work so hard for the jewel and the money would be good for us." "Ah!" said Mrs. Mortimer. "That puts it in a new light. I thought it was, perhaps, some evil genius who had resolved to put a curse upon his descendants," "Jake says he's a bloke, but I think he's fine, mother. I liked his letter ever so much." "Since his intentions are good, it alters things," said Mrs. Mortimer. "And it seems to me that the descendants themselves have only to keep in the right path to succeed, by the blessing of God. But they'll need that." "Yes. Father Wallace at the college used to say: 'Get God's blessing on what you're going to do, and then go ahead'." "Yes, that is the true spirit. And I would wish you to go into this contest as St. George went to conquer the dragon. We love to read of glorious ones like him. Think of his splen- did courage, and how he went, lance in rest, straight for that horrible foe." JULIAN TELLS HIS MOTHER. 35 The mother, pausing, cast a loving look at the bright, brave face before her, and the chestnut curls glistening in the dancing fire- light. "But", she continued, "there are other heroes — many of them — who have never mounted a steed nor ridden over any plain nor worn shining armor nor carried burnished spear; and it is the very qualities they pos- sessed that your ancestor wishes you to acquire." Mrs. Mortimer was excited, carried out of herself by this new crisis in her son's life. Supposing the jewel and the fortune to be real — and, despite her father-in-law's coldly doubting words, she believed in them, — suc-'^ cess in the quest would open out a noble_ prospect for her Julian. And while her mother's heart qiiaik^ at thought of the dangers through v/hich her darling would have to pass, she reflected that nothing worth liaving wn.s ever obtained without effort, and that danger was everywhere around. The adventures would be a tonic and a stimulant to future effort. If, in the eagerness of the moment, she remembered the boy's father, who had wrecked hiviifa on what he lived to v^ I r 36 THE LOST JKWb:L OK THE MORTIMERS. call a fool's quest, it w^s to console herself with the assurance that Julian was of another mould, and, moreover, completely under her influence. "If you go into this contest, then, Julian, it must be with a noble motive. The merely commercial spirit by which you tell me John Jacob is possessed will never carry you through such an undertaking, nor will your own mere love of fun be any better. By catching the spirit of your ancestor and striving to carry out his wishes, you will gain much even if you fail." The boy's face grew earnest as he listened. Under all his careless gayety of manner he was full of fine feeling, and whatever was high and noble always appealed to him. "You must be like the knights of old, my dear. I have often read to you about them." "Yes, they were splendid fellows. I guess, mother, it would be pretty hard for us boys to be like them." "Not so hard as you think. You have only to try. Think it well over before you give your answer to-morrow, and try to feel as the knights used to fee] .wheu they were entering the Order of Chivalij» 4*hen if you choose to accept the conditions— r' ' . . . i JULIAN TELLS HIS MOTHER. 37 "Of course I'll accept, mother!" "To be sure you will, rash boy!" laughed his mother. "But try, at least, to look upon the affair as something more than a frolic." After that there was silence. The mother did not believe in too much preaching. When she spoke again, it was to inquire of Julian : "Which of your new companions do you like best?" "Well, let me see! Sedgwick has the best muscle: we were trying out there, and he's a good fellow. Little Wat hasn't much muscle, but I like him even if he is a bit girlie and always wishing to be big and strong." "What about John Jacob?" asked the mother. Julian hesitated. Something in the last- named boy jarred upon Julian's perfect honesty and openness of character. "Jake's all right, I guess," he answered, doubtfully. "But— well, he laughs at fellows, and he likes to be very smart, and he says he knows more than his father by a heap. He's cocksure of finding the jewel, because he'll play some tricks and get out of adventures that are too hard. I told him I didn't think 38 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. ill 1 i that was quite .straight, and he snatched off my cap and ran away with it, calling me •Julia!' " Now, this was an offence which Julian could ill brook — but he suddenly remembered that he was telling tales. "I didn't mean to talk about it. Of course he was only in fun. But I was just trying to describe what he's like." "He is very like one who will overreach himself with his cunning," said Mrs. Mor- timer. "But all yon have to do is to go straight yourself, and not heed what others do." "That's so," agreed Julian. "Every fellow's got to stand on his own feet. And I told Jake he'd better let my cajj alone in future, and myself too, or I'd make him." His mother was amused at the boy's pug- nacity. "Keep y^ur energies for the quest," she said smilingly. Then, as she regarded Julian's handsome face, her mother-love awoke and with it a very passion of fear. "O my dar- ling," she cried, "what if this quest should take you from me, or blight your beautiful life?" JULIAN TELLS HIS MOTHER. 39 She seized him iu her arms and held him close pressed to her, great lad as he was; and he returned her embrace with his boyish bpar's hug. "Dearest little mother," he cried, "'nothing will ever take me away from you; and I'll always love you anyhow, and do what you want!" The firelight shut in mother and son as in a charmed circle, ruddy and burnished. The sea boomed outside at the foot of Pine Bluff, and on the stairs the great clock tolled mid- night. "Hurrah!" exclaimed Julian. "It's to- morrow ! ' ' "Dear me, yes; and here you've never been to bed! Hurry off at once; aaid, O my boy, my boy, whatever happens, be true to your- self and to God!" "I will!" answered the lad solemnly, standing still a moment, the ruddy firelight glowing upon his face, his head thrown back and his mouth smiling. "My brave young knight, I believe you will," said the mother. "And now to sleep, darling! And try not to dream of dangers." "Perhaps I'll dream where the ruby is," 40 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. said Julian, as he vanished through the door. "I read a story like that once." He was gone, and the mother heard his feet pacing up and down in the adjoining room, while his mind was full of dreams and hopes, and of that wonderful morning which seemed so far away. His head was scarcely on the pillow, though, when he fell asleep, and never dreamed at all, but woke to see the sun shining in, a broad ribbon across the floor, and heard the shrill voice of John Jacob already upon the lawn. Julian was out of bed in a moment, and hurried through his toilet, rushing down at last with bounding step and beating heart, the very picture of a healthy, happy boy. •'Halloo, Jake!" he cried from the door, putting his hand trumpet-wise to his mouth to give a lusty shout. "Halloo!" answered Jake, who was busy poking amongst the weeds on the Bluff, as if he had begun the search on his own account. "I thought you were to be up at dawn." •'I never woke," laughed Julian; "and of course mother didn't call me. How did you get up so early?" "I couldn't sleep," Jake answered, shortly. h JULIAN TELLS HIS MOTHER. 41 "And it isn't so very early. It's near eight." "Near eight? Where are the others?" "Snoozing, I suppose, as you were," said Jake. "I gue.'S I'll beat you all easy enough, if you go on at that pace." "Don't crow too loud!" exclaimed Sedg- wick's i)Ieasant voice from the brushwood. "I was up a good sight before you, Jakey." Jake, .somewhat taken aback, growled out an inarticulate word or two, and went at the weeds with greater energy than ever. "Looking for an underground cave?" in- quired Sedgwick. "No, I'm not!" retorted Jake, — getting very red, however. "I'm trying to pass the time till breakfast's ready." "I've a bit of an appetite myself," said Sedgwick. "I've been down to the shore. I could eat yoii^ curly pate, boots and all." "Try on Wat!" laughed Julian, as Walter appeared, looking paler and more sallow than ever. "He's not such a tempting morsel as you are," answered Sedgwick. "Don't try to be too funny," put in Jake. "But I .say there's the gong!" "Goody!" cried Julian, beginning to run. i ,i 42 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. while the silvery notes of tiie summons to breakfast still floated out over the lawn. * 'I'm starving too." So in they all trooped to a substantial break- fast; their grandfather, who sat stately at the head of the table, sayinp not a word of the events of the day before nor of the days to come; but helping everyone to cold ham or bacon and egg, to radishes, toast or tea, as if such momentous questions as the search for a fortune had never been under consideration. He joked with each boy in turn after his peculiar fashion; and it was only when he stood up from table that he requested all to be in attendance in the library half an hour later. "As if we've thought of anything else!" whispered Jake. 'Except breakfast!" added Sedgwick. 'Half an hour seems a good while to wait," observed julian. "Let's do something to pass the time. Let's play tag." Now, this proposal seemed rather beneath the elder boys' dig.iity; but presently they relaxed and went at it hard and fast, their voices borne upward nito the tall trees, and downward to mingle with the hoarse voice of the waves. ((' t»i 1 JULIAN TELLS HIS MOTHER. 43 A few moments before the time appointed Mrs. Mortimer called Julian to her and bade him kneel for that space in the solitude of his room, to ask for the blessing he desired, and to resolve that he would be brave and strong and full of endurance. So that he entered the library with a feeling different from any of the rest — assured that he had put the mat- ter on a solid basis and was relying on a strength greater than his own. The library looked much less sombre than on the preceding day. A long window open- ing to the floor let in floods of sunshine, which lay on the green carpet as though on a sward. The books seemed to wear a bright and friendly aspect, and even the grandfather was smiling cheerily. He sat back in his chair and greeted each boy with a nod and a laugh- ing word. But it was not in the library that the final agreement was to be made, or the conditions to be laid down for the contest. So presently Mr. Mortimer, arising, said: "I will now lead the way to the west wing, that you may enter the competition and be enrolled in the adventurous band of fortune- seekers in the presence of Anselm Benedict himself." V t-. 44 THK LOST JEWKL OF THE MORTIMERS. The boys were startled at the idea of being admitted into the presence of a man dead for about two hundred years. But they made no sign, and obediently followed their stately relative through long corridors, hitherto un- visited, toward the west wing, a part of the house which was never used. At last the grandfather turned abruptly into what he called the west wing and paused before an oaken door, curiously carved in many a quaint device. The old man's voice trembled as he threw wide the heavy portal and motioned across the threshold. "Now, lads, who enters here has entered upon the quest." With one accord the boys followed him into the room. Chapter IV. Ansklm Bknedict. The boys, having crossed the threshold, found theniselve;; in a spacious chamber, wainscoted and h.ng with gorgeous tapestry. Its furniture was of most ancient fashion. The chairs, stra'jht and high-backed, had carved legs, representing the claws of ani- mals. There was no carpet upon the floor, which was of highly polished oak. In the center of the room stood a massive table, so heavy and substantial that it might have been made from some monarch of the forest; it was piled with all manner of curious objects. The windows were stained and mullioned. Ovei the whole place hung an indescribable air of mysteiy — the enchantment of the past. It was precisely like a page out of Scott, while some romance of the Middle Ages seemed to lurk in every one of its corners. The grandfather stood still a moment, look- ing round him; then he said: (45) ! i f^ 46 THK LOST JKWF.T, OK TJIK MOilTIMKRS. "I am now about to ititrodtjcc you to An- selni Benedict himself." Advancing to the very end of the room, he touched a spring in one of the tapestried pan- els. Instantly a door flew open, displaying an alcove richly liung with tapestry of velours, and displaying a figure which caused every boy to start. So cleverly was the portrait ar- ranged that it seemed as if the personage represented were really alive and might at any instant begin to speak. Julian's first startled feeling gave place to one of profound astonishment. "Why, I thought he was old," he ex- claimed, involuntarily; "and instead he's young and handsome!" The boyish voice sounded oddly out of place in that apartment, heavy with the shad- ows of the past, and it gave Julian himself a creepy feeling. Handsome that mysterious ancestor un- doubtedly was; straight and tall as an arrow; with a sensitive face, full of fire and passion; eyes whose strange depths thrilled even the least impressionable of the boys ; curling locks falling loose over the shoulders; and a mouth that expressed courage and tenderness. : k ANSKLM nnNF.DKT 47 as well as scorn for what was mean or base or cowardly. "He's just splendid!" said Jnlian. John Jacob was busy appraising the severe- ly plain but rich habiliments, the fall of costly lace at neck and wrists; while Sedgwick was most occupied with the sword, so richly jewelled at the hilt. Walter whispered to Julian: •'He has awful eyes! They scare nie like v> "'thing!" . mtime the grandfather stood regarding the portrait with a cynical smile, as if he were an enchanter who had brought this splendid figure from out the past, and was scornful of hih own power. After a moment or two of silence, Mr. Mortimc. began to address his ancestor as follows: "So, Anselm Benedict, your face is once more uncovered to the light, pnd a new gen- eration—shall I say *of vjur victims'?— are arrayed before you. These like the others, are full of mad daring, e^ger to fulfil your commands and certain of success. You best know if success is possible." It seemed as if the proud dark eyes of the pictured youth answered the old man's taunts ^ .:'.tf.'iK 48 THE LOST JEVVKL OF THE MORTn.ERS. « with defiance, whereas in the voice of the living man there was a deep bitterness against the dead. "Yes, there you are, after two hundred years or more; and your influence is still ui^on us. There, you are about to enroll in your service these four young lives. What will you make of them, Anselm Benedict ? What has your mad whim made of your descendants?" The speaker seemed to have forgotten for the moment the presence of his four young listeners, who looked from him to the portrait with interest and curiosity. "I shall, however, do my part, since you have imposed upon each occupant of this mansion the duty of seeing yonr commands enforced and your wishes made known to all who seek to enter upon the competition." Having thus addressed the portrait, he turned to the boys. "To-night you will fulfil the first con- dition. Each one of you in turn must spend an uour after midnight here, alone, with Anselm Benedict. Face to face with him, you shall look into the very depths of your own nature, and discover if you have thr* i ■M ANSELM BENEDICT. 49 qualities necessary for success in tins quest, and if you are determined to pursue it." Now, this was not precisely the sort of ad- venture upon which any of the boys had counted, and not one amongst them relished it. Walter Worthington grew pale to the very lips. Sedgwick shifted uneasily from one foot to another and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. John Jacob looked per- turbed and a frown darkened his hatchet face; while Julian revived his own courage by promising himself to get his mother to say her beads for him. His sagacious mind began to reflect: "He was a good man, this Anselm Bene- dict, or he wouldn't have been exiled for the Faith; and he wants us to be good, because he said so in his letter. So he won't do us any harm. Besides, courage is one of the things that he thinks his descendants should have." Meantime the grandfather was watcaig the boys, and smiling with deep and some- what contemptuous amusement. He saw, after all their eagerness to begin and their defiance of difficulties and dangers, how little this first test was to their liking. 50 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "The service of this Anselm Benedict is not precisely a summer frolic, my lads," he observed; "and you will have to obey his commands very exactly indeed, or give up all chance of finding the ruby and the fortune. Therefore. Sedgwick, as soon as the clock in the hall tolls midnight, you will be brought to this place by a messenger, and here remain till one o'clock At that hour John Jacob will take your place. At two it will be the turn of Walter Worthington; and last of all Master Julian will be led here by one specially appointed for the task." A thrill ran through his auditors as each one was cited thus to appear in the silence and ghostliness of night. It was like a sum- mons to a secret tribui-M, where the thoughts and feelings of each one should be made manifest. "Am I right, Anselm Benedict?" inquired the grandfather. And it seemed as if t .king eyes of the portrait made answer. "Yes." "Now, go out, all of you, down to the shore," said the grandfather. "Keep your nerves steady for to-night. You, Julian, need ANSELM BENEDICT. 51 not be anxious about your mother, as I shall take her out to drive with me. And you will be notified in due time to assemble here to learn the second test." He waved his hand in dismissal, and they all trooped off, rather a silent and preoccupied band of boys at first. It seemed as if the shadow of that fatal competition had already shut them in. However, they rallied a good deal when they reached the shore. The salt air brought color to their cheeks and a sparkle to their eyes, as they grouped themselves upon a huge rock, looking out seaward and discussing the situation. John Jacob had very little to say. He was busy revolving in his own mind if it would be possible to shirk this ordeal, which he particularly dreaded, and to cover up the deception successfully. Julian was the first to recover his cheerful- ness. He began to roll about in the sand, to gather pebbles and send them splashing out to scare the sea gulls; then he took off his shoes and stockings, so that he might walk close to the water and let the incoming waves roll over his feet. After a while Sedg- wick joined him, and the pair had a royal time, racing over the sand, dabbling in the r t! i- 52 THE LOST JKWKL OF THK MORTIMERS. water, and indulging in impromptu wrestling matches. John Jacob meanwhile lay back upon the sand, staring up at the sky, full of his own plans; and Walter wandered dispir- itedly up and down, kicking at the sand with his toe.* "Halloo you fellows!" cried Sedgwick. "If you knock under at the very first blow, you'd better chuck the whole busines-." "The letter told us at once we'd have to be brave," added Julian. "Of course we didn't exactly think of that kind of bravery, but I guess we'll get through somehow, and it's no use worrying beforehand. The next thing we have to do m£.y be easier." "Confound him for an old bloke!" cried John Jacob. "What does he want to keep us up all night for?" "I'm afraid Til never get through the hour," lamented Walter. "Well, you sec, fellows, it's got to be done," remarked practical Sedgwick, "or you may as well bid good-bye to the stone and the fortune." "I'll never do that," said John Jacob, springing up and pacing restlessly about, — "not if I die for it." II ANSELM BENEDICT. 53 "So say we all!" chimed in Julian, taking off his cap and waving it in the air. "Hurrah for the jewel and the hidden room!" A strange and startling thing followed; for his wo/ds seemed to be repeated clearly and distinctly from within the solid rock beside which the boys were gathered. They all turned and stared as if the rough granite would reveal the secret. But no: it stood stern and gray in its mighty strength, jutting away out into the water, where the waves churned themselves into white froth around its base. "I guess it's an echo of some sort," sug- gested Sedgwick. "But it sounded mighty queer." "Mighty queer, indeed!" muttered John Jacob. "I don't half like how things go around this place." There were tears of positive alarm in Wal- ter's eyes. He could not trust his voice to speak. "Of course it was an echo!" cried Julian, rallying his courage. "Hurrah, I say, for Anselm Benedict and the lost jewel of the Mortimers!" Again the words came back clearly and 54 THE LObl JKtVEI. OF THE MORTIMERS. distinctly, though with a hollow and sepul- chral sound. "Well! I won't try it again," said Julian. "We've had enough of that. I vote that we go back to the house." The vote was carried. Bright as was the sunshine, wholesome and pure the air, the boys seemed to have lost their taste for the shore; and they went back to the house, sit- ting upon the veranda, very gravely and quietly for them, discussing the one absorbing topic of the night-watch. "I wonder what we'll think of it to-morrow morning'" said Julian. "It's bound to be ghostly and all that. But it's rather thrilling, the sort of thing the hero does in tales of ad- venture; and he always comes out all right." "If we could go all together!" put in Walter. "It wouldn't be much of a test it we could do that, sonny!" Sedgwick exclaimed, some- what contemptuously John Jacob was silently pondering in his own mind on the possibility of slipping through the servant's hands and not going into the room at all. "What do servants care about tests?" he ANSELM BENEDICT. 55 thought. ♦'! can slip down again at two o'clock, and when he unlocks the door get in behind him." John Jacob was so elated with this plan that he quite recovered his good humor, and chuckled to himself till Julian asked: "Halloo, Jake, what's the joke?" "I'm laughing at the idea of us fellows being in such a pickle about nothing. What IS it to stay in an empty room for an hour!" Julian's opinion of his cousin's courage rose considerably. Je was quite impressed by his boldness, and frankly said so. But Sedgwick remarked, rather dryly: "I hope you're laughing hardest at your- self; for you were the most scared of all when you heard what we had to do, and when that echo came out of the rock." "I wasn't either," contradicted Jake. "Wat was scared nearly out of his wits." "We were all pretty badly frightened this afternoon," said Julian. "I feel creepy about it yet and about to-night. You must have a lot of pluck, Jake." •'I have a level head," said that worthy, enigmatically; "and I guess we'd better try to put the whole business out of our minds till the time comes." 56 Tine LOST JEWEL OF THE JfORTLMERS. This l^eing good advice, all four tried hard to follow it and to forget the evil hour which awaited them. Mr. Mortimer and his daughter-in-law had been absent all day, having driven over to a neighboring villa. ?. It was quite dark when they returned, a. d Julian's mother went straight to her ro When nine o'clock came, the grandfather despatched the boys to bed. Julian, going upstairs, found his mother very pale, with traces of tears on her face, and dressed for out of doors. "What is the matter, mother dearest? Wliere are you going in the dark?" "Julian, dear lad, I have to leave you. Your grandfather declares that my continued presence here would give you an advantage over the other boys. John Jacob has no mother, and the others cannot be spared from home. I think he is right, Julian. You must stand on an equal footing with the rest." "I will go with you, mother, and give up the whole job. What do I care for rubies or money ! ' ' "No," said his mother. "Having under- taken this quest, it is best for you to pursue ANSELM BKNEDICT. 57 it to the end, if possible. You must not begin life with a failure." "If only you could stay!" "Since I can not, I commit you to the care of our Mother in heaven; and I leave you prayer as your best weapon. In it you will find strength and all else you need." As she spoke there was a sound of wheels without. "The carriage come forme!" she declared; and the mother held her boy in a close em- brace, letting her tears mingle with his. When Julian was left alone, he knelt and prayed with all the fervor of his boy's heart. It reminded him of the time when he was planning to steal away to be a martyr in China or Japan, and of the struggle it cost him to thmk of leaving his mother. She had, hap- pily, discovered his intentions, and advised him to wait till he was growii up. He got into bed, very lonely and miserable. But he soon fell asleep, and was awakened by the clock tolling twelve. He remembered that Sedgwick was just then being led into the west wing, and for a time he tossed about excitedly. Presently, however, he dozed off again; and was aroused this time by the strangest figure he had ever seen. Chapter V. Thk First Tkst and its Results. The strange figure standing beside Jnlian's bed when he awoke was that of a tall man, who seemed in the dim light to be quite gigantic. His face was pale and withered and covered with a close network of wrinkles; his hair was powdered in the fashion of a bygone age, and tied in a queue at the back; and his dress was a costly but out-of-date livery, with knee-breeches id shoe-buckles. This personage stood intently regarding the bov, through whose mind flashed the question: 'Can this be Anselm Benedict himself grown old, or magically preserved these two hundred odd years?" Presently a harsh, metallic voice, which sounded weird and unnatural at that hour of the night, broke the stillness. '•Arise: your time has come. The time- piece without strikes three." Julian obeyed as in a dream, the old man (58) THE FIRST TEST AND ITS RESULTS. 59 leaving him while he dressed; and as they went down the .road staircase, the boy caught a brief glimpse of a wild: haggard face star- ing out at him from a doorway. Julian shuddered. "If Jake, who was so brave in the after- noon, looked like that, the test must be awful." But he cl-isped his rosary close and prayed to our Heavenly Mother to help him; and, so praying, passed through the dread portal, being firmly impelled across the threshold with surprising strength of arm by his ancient guide. He found himself in darkness, save where the brigtt rays of electric light shone full upon the alcove and brought out with startling effect the face and figure of his an- cestor. Surely that was the countenance of a living man! Those eyes, looking into his with fire and tenderness, belonged to a real man; that half-scornful, half-tender smile al'^at the lips would broaden into a laugh, or harden into sternness. Some such bewildered thoughts were passing through Julian's miud, as he watched willi boyish gaze, startled, yet full of eagerness. He was afraid with that strange, creepy, 6o THE LOST JKVVKL OK THE MORI IMKRS. shtKldcriujj horror waicli llie hour and p. ice inspired. But he t'icd to think how tiiose kii'ghts of old, aboi whom his mother had so often read to ' ini, uotil'l ' ive actid undi siinihir cMrcunuslances. \' N ■ with tn '. j ,ii honor, was one of their fii ^t (jti litit He realized suddt . . . iiow this 'tr.iv anci ioi himself would ivt d^^spisod a co ud. H- brtathedhis litie pi, er for coum . tli w ')ack his head uid marched straight id to tht portrait, lookinvvn, of his own accord, that massive i iiair, which had stood where as, as tr; dition said, for nii re than t' o hi ted years; wliile its great ;i is, liL^- cla . seeiut d to seize ...A hold him. He h oked quite a small boy, ht )!cs- i iiisignifv mt, in his twentieth- ntn vc )Stu ..e oi jackei and knickerbof %er Bin th re was a fine courage about him, d tlie strength that comes from a u -lb oble (iispc )n A'liich has Ix ncareii y traine ., . ' vigiL Iv watched ov r by ;OVli •d •'!t^'lli,i nt mother. Little Uy !o 1 f 1 him- he forgot the or i of ^ • '.lei .vest wiii^ , the dark i ^ou with it tli c ai''^ appomtmeuls whi h id surviv .»any geu- THE 1 ;ST TliST AND ITS RJvSI LTS. 6r erations of " rti' v. ., and the terrifying still- n< .s of the night. lie became conscious of a '■owin>>- admiration for that brave gentle- liuiii ] >ing on canvas, for his beauty and inliiiess, for the he-oic things he had done, and for his cross! ig seas an exile for the . aith. "" uid i< He forgot •iiself and even his faults lies, whic. s grandfather had iu- him should e laid bare to the scare Ii- • of those 1 crcing eyes. He felt ;..s ! kno'vn this Auselm Benedict, and a desir grew in h -; mind to learn more o. his ancesti r's lift an. character. He knev.- he and a favorite of .some •n Irivea into exile and persecution; hut he de- to learn his history, usiasm that he, too, elife; and l;e fancied , tured lips grew more tender, and that the eyes looked into his with kindurss, as if he had found a friend. So quickly passed the hour that he was .'5 fonished when the qunint servit: r put his Jiund upon his shoulder a; d toll him his time wos up. Julian sprang to his feet, cry- iug out in quite a natural and friendlv wn : if he had been a soldie: king, that he IkuI had endured tennined, if ^ He cried out in i should like to lead that the smile on t- 62 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "Oh, isn't he splendid! But it can't be an hour yet! It seemed so short! I had a heap of things to think of !" The man stared at him in genuine surprise, muttering under his breath, "A miracle!" as he bent his head before the portrait with something of genuine respect and affection, put out the lights, and thrust Julian from the room; after which he locked the door, and in silence followed him through the winding corridors, the lantern he carried casting wav- vering gleams on wall and ceiling. He con- ducted Julian to his apartment, and the boy said: "Good night! — I don't know your name." "Nic'nolas", said the guttural voice. "Goodnight, Nicholas!" repeated Julian. The man, in reply, straightened himself — for he had been a soldier in his youth, — and for the first time in his career of service with the Mortimers made a military salute to one of the fortune-seekers. When Nicholas had retired, Julian's first care was to kneel and offer a fervent act of thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin; though indeed he scarcely realized that the first ordeal was over. It was then four o'clock; but, THE FIRST TEST AND ITS RESULTS. 63 despite his fatigue, he wished it were time )e astir, tha "fellows" and for the house t he might meet hear their ex- the other periences. **Jake looked pretty well scared," he thought. "Something different must have happened to him." Julian nestled comfortably amongst his pillows, wishing tliat his mother were there, so that he could tell her all about it. "There's no one understands a fellow as she does," he reflected; "knows just what you want to tell her." When at last Julian woke and saw the sun, like ail old familiar friend, looking in at the windows, he hurried downstairs, where he found Sedgwick upon the lawn. The latter looked very pale and tired, but he h:;a a new something of manliness and '"gnity about him which even careless Tuian noted. The two stood and looked at eac u other. "Well, curly pate?" began Sedgwick. "Well, old fellow?" responded Julian. "It was a hard pull." "Net nearly so hard as I thought. And the time passed so quickly!" Sedgwick stared. 6.| THK LOST JKWKL OK THK MORTIMF.RS. 9 "It didn't ac very quick with iiic," he said, gloomily. "What did you do first?" Julian inquired. "Oh, I suppose we all did about the same! That rum-looking; old chap came for me — " "Nicholas", put in Julian. "How on earth did you learn his name?" "I asked him," Julian replied, simply. "Cricky, but you're a cool one! Anyway, old Nick — if that's his name— came for me at twelve sharp. The tolling of the hall clock sounded like the Doomsday trumpet, or some- thing or other. He jMished me in; the room was all dark, except the lights round the pic- ture; then he locked the door." Julian nodded. "It was exactly the same for me," he assented. "I never was in such a pickle iu my life," Sedgwick avowed frankly. "I felt as if there were a thousand spooks hanging about the corners, I was afraid to look around, and I didn't care much about staring into Anselm's face. After a bit, though, I felt as if I must look; so I stared at him as hard as I could. Then I began to shiver and shake, as if he was searching me through and th- 'orh and finding out everything I ever c Qreat THE FIRST TEST AND ITS RESULTS, 65 Scott, but he's a corker for turning you inside out and making you ashamed of yourself! I quaked, I can tell you. I got through the hour somehow, and you bet I never was so glad to see anyone in my life as old pigtail." John Jacob came up while Sedgwick was still speaking, and a more haggard and mis- erable object in the light c i die summer mor- ning it would be hard to imagine. The great drops of perspiration stood on his forehead, and he was shivering as if with cold. "What on earth is the master with you, Jake?" asked Sedgwick, suddenly catching sight of his ashen face and staring eyes. "It feels like ague," Jake said, with a laugh so wild and forced that his companions were startled. «'I guess there's malaria or some- thing here, and if this goes on I'll have to try change of air." "Look here, Jake," answered Sedgwick in his downright fashion, "you're in a blue funk since last night. Out with it, man! I was myself. Tell us what happened. You'l feel all thebetter for it." Thus adjured, Jake began,— taking care to keep back certain portions of the revelation relative to his little scheme of yesterday. 66 THK i.osr ji;\vi:t. nv thk mortimkrs. "When we got to tliat infernal door I just turned round for a minute to look baek, and that old blackguard in livery — " •'What's the good of calling names?" pro- tested Julian. •'He caught me by the back of the neck and gave me such a shove into the room, that I very nearly landed foremost against the table. Then he planted me in that con- founded chair and went out. The room danced ronud me. I was scared, — I'll admit that. It seemed as if demons or something were hopping about, and grinning faces look- ing out of corners, and voices chattering. The place is haunted, or the Old Boy himself is there. Airyhow, I wanted to get out of staring at that old bloke upon the wall, and I thought I'd try another chair. The moment I tried to get up, the arms stretched out and held me fast." While he spoke, Jake's terror in the mem- ory of that moment became uncontrollable, :nid he had to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead. "It was horrible! I thought they were the arms of something that had ruight me." The other boys uttered horrified exclama- tions. THE FIRST TEST AND ITS RESULTS. 67 "I fomul out that they were just iron clamps to hold a fellow if he tried to get cut," went ou Jake. "And I heard a voice— it was the same one that came out of the rock, I'll swear to it— saying: 'Coward! traitor!' Just because I wanted to take another chair, I suppose. So there I was forced to stare at that odious picture, while that horrid Anselm seemed to read off a list of everj-thing a fellow ever did. He's a wizard, that's what he is; and I'm not at all sure that he hasn't kept himself alive by some black art." In his excitement Jake blurted out what he would at another time have carefully hidden. "I was nearly wild b> cue time the old monster came and unfastened the arms chuckling to himself like a fiend. As soon as we reached the hall I got away from him and never stopped running till I got into my room. Oh, if there are any more tests like that, I guess I'll take grandfather's advice and quit!" When Julian asked for Wat, he was told that he was not yet out of bed; though later in the day he heard all details. Wat frankly admitted that when first put into the chair he 68 THE LOST JFAVKL OF THE MORTIMERS. must have been unconscious, for he remem- bered nothing. After he woke up again, he got on better than he had expected. All the boys were surprised to hear Julian's account of his own night's adventure. "I was so busy looking at Anselm Benedict and thinking about him, that the dark room didn't bother me a bit," explained Julian. *'I tried to remember the few things I had heard about him and to piece them together. I didn't find the time long at all. Nicholas was good enough to me. He came up to my room with me and gave me a salute like that." As Julian raised his hand to his forehead to imitate the sign, Jake cast a sour, envious look at his cousin. From that moment he began to dislike him. Sedgwick, on the other hand, cried out admiringly: ♦'You're a brick, Julian! I guess you've got more grit in you than any of us." "Oh, well — I said my prayers before going down, and all that," Julian added, lest the others might suppose he was boasting of his own strength. Sedgwick fidgeted and looked uncomfort- THE FIRST TEST AND ITS RESULTS. 69 able. He had forgotten all about his prayers in the excitement of the ent. Jake gave a wild lau^ 'I guess if I said prayers, I'd be ashamed to lell any one," he sneered. '•Why should I be ashamed of saying my prayers?" Julian asked, in all simplicity. "Because prayers are good enough for girls, but what boys say them?" •'All the fellows at the college said them every day," Julian declared stoutly. •'And some of the squarest fellows there used to go oftenest to the chapel." ••A rum lot they must have been," grum- bled Jake. ••Prayers helped me a good deal, I know," Julian went on, addressing Sedgwick. "But anyway, I'm glad that test is over. I was horribly afraid when old Nicholas came to get me — " ••In spite of your prayers!" interposed Jake. ••I began to say them then,'' Julian ex- plained. '•You ought to have been a girl, Julian Mortimer!" Jake retorted. Julian's face flamed. "I tell you what, Jake," he cried, "if you dare to say such things to me!" 70 THK LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. I< i I f i " "Don't heed him, sonny!" put in Sedg- wick. "You were the best man of the lot last night, and so you can afford to let Jake spout. He's pretty well bowled out this morning." "I ought to Have remembered that," ad- mitted Julian, "and have known how to take a joke." While he was saying so breakfast was an- nounced, and the grandfather received them. His keen eye noticed that Julian's face was as brave and bright as ever, and his appetite midisturbed. He also observed the signs of past conflict in the other lads, and all but laughed outright at Jacob's broken-down ap- pearance. He made no allusion to the matter, however, till breakfast was over. Then he observed, with his cynical smile: "Of the four little Indians, one has fallen down, leaving but three. I hear, however, that Walter Worthington means to rise up again. This afternoon, if he be sufficiently recovered, I will announce to you the second test. Meantime go out and play footbail or something of the sort. Outdoor exercise, John Jacob, is an exc:))ent tonic for ague.'' John Jacob flushed s. rlet but said nothing, THIC riRST TEST AKD ITS RESULTS. 71 and off they all trooped. But they liad not the energy to attempt .so strenuous a game as football; and their grandfather, looking out of the window at them, .said to himself : "The poison begins to work. One is knocked under, two have no heart for play; and the other has escaped marvellously so far,' but he is depressed by his comrades." Walter Worth ington presently appeared, looking very pale, with great circles under his eyes; but his spirit was less subdued than Jake's. He was determined to continue the quest, if, as he said, -his strength only held out. "I wonder what the ne.xt test will be?" Julian observed, meditatively. And the boys all wondered in turn and tried to guess, but it was of no use. Not an idea suggested itself, and they could only wait for the afternoon, when their grandfather should make known to them the second test. He did not keep tham long in suspense. Immed- iately after luncheon he summoned all four to meet him in the library, thence to proceed to the presence of /Vnselm Benedict, where all tests were announced. "I think," said Mr. Mortimer, "that w.is •-H j i^ iP f 73 THE LOST JEWEL OK THE MORTIMERS. second trial will commend itself mech more to you than the last. But I must remind you that diligence, activity, endurance will all be brought into play." Julian regarded his grandfather with eager eyes, which began to sparkle with interest and excitement; while even the haggard Jake, the weary and dispirited Wat, and the sobered and saddened Sedgwick plucked up heart a little. Their grandfather regarded them with a tantalizing expression out of half-shut eyes. He enjoyed pla> ing with their curiosity and delaying the answer to the question which hung on every lip: "What can be this second test?" Chapter VI. A Camp in the Forest. Before announcing the second test, the grandfath jr arose from his chair and signed for the boys to follow him. All of them ex- cept Julian did so with visible trepidation; for they knew that he was leading them into the presence of Anselm Benedict. Julian felt an eager desire to see once again that portrait which had so completely fascinated him, and he remarked to his grandfather as they passed along the corridor: •'I feel as if he were a friend, sir." "Eh!— what?" inquired the old man in surprise, and he stood a moment and looked down at the eager face. "Whom do you mean ?" "I mean Anselm Benedict, sir." **0h!" exclaimed Mr. Mortimer. •♦Is there any book about him in the lib- rary?" Julian asked. "There is a book," answered the grand- father slowly. (7i) 74 TIIK LOST JKWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. ' Aay I see it, sir?" "I .stij)po.se so. No one has ever made the request Kfore. The midnight hour in that gentleuiau's society was generally found to be sufficient." He ended with a short huigh. "There's another thing I wanted to ask you, sir," said Julinn, as the long corridor they were pursuing turned ii.to the west wing. •'Where does Nicholas keep himself ?" The grandfather cast upon the boy so strange a glance that it startled even the fear- less Julian. "What do you know about Nicholas,— how did you find out his name?" "I asked him," Julian answered simply. "When?" "When he brought me back to r v room last night." Mr. Mortimer stared. "Well, you are n wonderful boy!" he exclaimed. "Fen-, ex- cept in the message he had to deliver, have ever heard the sound of his voice." "He told me his name was Nicholas, and then he did this,"— and Julian imitated the military .salute. "He did that, did he?" queried the grand- father, in astonishment. "Then, let me tell A CAMP IN 1 flK FOREST. 75 you, he saw in you, my >oy, something wiiich he never saw in any of your race." They were now at the mysterious door. "Grandfather", asked Julian, stopping be- fore it, "who is Nicholas?" "He is the evil genius, he is the avenger," exclaimed Mr. Mortimer in a strained, hur- ried voice. Without giving time for any further ex- planation, he opened the door and entered. Julian followed close; the other boys c-me on slowly, passing over the threshold with re- hictant steps, and remaining in that portion of the room farthest fron^ the portrait. But Mr. .\ioi'.;mer, having touched the spring of th'^ panel iiotioned them with a quick, im- . "ent J, ,cure to advance. He was plainly V ru ted and in a nervous mood. Svdgwick looked pa!e; but he confronted iiie portrait brave'., v i'?< that manliness which Julian had beu ;*= admired. Jake's face was positively V ugdog; and Wat's lip quiv- ered as, white < he lin- and with trembling L ids, he placed himself beside his cousins. But Julian's countenance was bright and cheerful, and he smiled at his handsome kins- man of ' jng ago, who seemed to flash a friend- ly greetir^; f^^in his dark eycb. t f ■-- Wf, 76 THE LOST JEWEL OF THE MORTIMERS. "I shall announce your second decree, An- selm Benedict," Mr. Mortimer declared curtly, "and Nicholas can do *he rest. Your ancestor here portrayed before you," the old man went on, addressing the boys, "directs that you shall go forth into the forest which lies to the right hand of this dw-lling, extending inward from the bluff, and there encamp for a period of two weeks. During this time you shall perform all menial offices foi yourselves, pro- curing the chief part of your own food, and main^aining durin;? the day, and on certain nights when the aioonlight shall permit, a search for the cavern in the forest, undeterred by whatsoever obstacles may offer." Even the most dejected of the boys began to kindle into pc .tive enthusiasm. Here, at least, was a test af^er their own hearts. Why, it would be capital fun! •«If during that period of two weeks no trace of the cavern is found, the competitors are free to abandon this test and continue to pursue the search in other ways, or they may obtain an extension of the original time and remain longer in the forest. I know of a person who has spent the greater part of his life in that way. / should be inclined to be- A CAMP IN THE FOREST. n lieve that the cavern is a fabulous one, so many having failed in the search. But there is a tradition from way back, that one did find that cavern and thus fulfilled the second test." *'Did only one find it out of all who have ever been looking for it?" asked Julian, awe- stricken. *'Only one," answered Mr. Mortimer. And Julian looked inquiringly from his grandfather to the young face in the portrait, where the same smile seemed to greet him, and whence a feeling of hope and encourage- ment entered his heart. ♦'If out has found it," said the boy, with sudden enthusiasm, "another may, and per- haps it will be some cf us." "Perhaps", agreed the grandfather coldly. ••Anyway, it will be fine fun camping in the woods and looking for a cave." ♦'You are a very sanguine young person," said Mr. Mortimer. "But let that pass. You will aH leave for the camp at four o'clock, and return two weeks hence, victor or van- quished. It will be to ycur interest to give as much time as possible to the search dur- ing the day and on ths appointed nights. 78 THE LOST ji: \vi.;t, oi- tifk Mortimers. Loiteiiiio l)y the wayside will never find the cavern. You are now dismissed, and I would advise you all to proceed to your rooms -;nd make preparations for approaching de- jiartnre." The boys could hardly control themselves in the old gentleman's presence, following him in silence along the corridor; and he had scarcely disappeared into the library when they broke into an eager buzz of talk, each voice rising above the other. Even Jake was jubilant as any one. He believed that his own peculiar methods of action and his ferret- like disposition wouhl avail nntch in such a search; and he was boy enough to enjoy the idea of a two weeks' frolic in the open air. The little band assembled on the lawn pre- cisely at four o'clock, and set off in the direc- tion of the forest. As Julian looked back, the great mansion of Pine Binff seemed to .stare darkly at them. But a ray of sunlight fell across the vcianda, stretching down upon the kiwn; and a bird with a flute-like note flew joyously up into the blue. Both seemed like fric ndly mess;iges to the lads, telling them of hope and gladness. The forest, as they approached it, looked somewhat daik and forI)iddin