The Sacred Nugget. A novel

Front matter

VOL. 3. rtohcl. BY R L. FARJEON, AUTHOR OF "GREAT PORTER SQUARE: A MYSTERY," "THE HOUSE OF WHITE SHADOWS," "GRIF," " BLADE-o'-GRASS," ETC, ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES. A*OL. II. IConic it : WARD AND DOAVNEY, 12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1885. [All Rights reserved,] Richard Clay & Sons, bungay, suffolk, and Bread Street Hill, Lonilon. CHAP. CONTENTS OF A70L. II. book I. (continued). PAG8 XV. Mike Patchett seeks Horace in a gambling saloon 1 XVI. A desperate game ... ... ... ... 12 XVIL A lualk home in the early morning ... ... 40 XVIII. Mestre. Law and Pardon request Horace to give them his adi-ice on a matter closely affecting himself ... ... ... ... ... 55 XIX. Horace extricates Messrs. Law and Pardon from their difficulty, and Spotty hears something which astonishes him ... ... ... ... 76 XX.

Spotty and the Italian disclose certain plans of a delicate nature to each other ... ... 90 XXL Mike Patchett finds new friends ... ... 108 XXII. Antonio schemes for the -winning card ... ... 127 book ii. — ftcggn. I. Peggy writes home ... ... ... ... 141 II. Pegjy writes from Victoria Lodge ... ... 149 UI. Peggy concludes her letter to David Bannister ... 174 rv. Peggy's diary ... ... ... ■■■ 193 V. Cross purposes. — A game played athy more than one 231 VI. What the letter contained which Peggy received at the General Post Office ... ... ... 255 VII. David Bannister, in his Utter to Peggy, opens that young lady's eyes .. ... ... ...

Book I

— Continued. CBAJPTER XV. MIKE PATCHETT SEEKS HORACE IN A GAMBLING SALOON. Remembering that Horace had declared his intention of dropping in at the theatre for an hour before proceeding to the Bull and Alouth, Alike Patchett, whose road lay through Great Bourke-street, himself dropped in at the Theatre Royal, paying for admission to that part from which he could obtain the best view of the audience. The house was fairly filled, and an entertainment was being given which would have been a credit to any west-end London theatre. Alike Patchett had no eyes for tbe performance ; he was busy searching VOL. II. B THE SACKED NUGGET. the boxes for a sight of Horace, of whom, however, nothing was to be seen. Satisfied that Horace was not in the theatre, Alike Patchett left, and threaded his way through the crowded streets, as busy by night as they were by day, to tbe Bull and Mouth Hotel, every corner of which Avas thronged with customers.

He did not knoAv his way to the room in which the card-playing was being carried on, and, aware that in these matters a prudent secrecy was maintained towards those whose faces were not familiar, he was in doubt as to the best mode of obtain ing the information be required. AVhile he thus stood hesitating there passed through the bar into the passage, which led to the first floor, no less a person than the Italian, Antonio, between whom and himself certain pleasantries had passed earlier in the day in the billiard-room of the Criterion. Alike Patchett immediately followed him, and pre sently found himself on the first floor landino-, near a door which appeared to be guarded by a man, who looked like a retired prize-fighter. Recognising the Italian the man said — " All right," and stepped aside to allow Antonio room to pass.

"Alany there, Charley ? " inquired Antonio. " Alost as many as the room will hold," replied the man ; and then said, addressing Mike Patchett, " What do you want ? " Before he had to reply, Antonio turned and saw him. " Ah ! " said the Italian, in a jovial tone, " my friend, the Eccentric ! " " Oh," said the guardian, " a friend of yours ! Pass on, then." As they were about to enter the room, Antonio laid his hand on Alike Patchett's shoulder, and said — " Here you come, Eccentric, to try your luck, eh ? " "That depends," said Mike Patchett, "on what sort of game it is. I ain't much of a hand myself at whist or loo." " You can take your choice of games, Eccentric," said the Italian, " if you have money to lose." Mike Patchett winked and tapped his breast-pocket. " Your money is there. That is good.

You are a man after B a my own heart. But my organ ; you do not forget my organ ? Let me Avin one little sovereign of you towards my organ." He tossed a coin in the air, caught it in his left hand, and covered it with his right. " Call ! " " Heads," said Mike Patchett. "It's tails." Upon which Mike Patchett promptly gave him a sovereign. " Good. I shall treasure it, this little piece of gold," kissing it with as much gallantry as if it were the hand of a lady he admired, " in memory of you, my Eccentric. It may be, may it not . — that it is what you call an advanced guard, to be followed by others. AVith all my heart I will take as many as I have the luck to win." " What yer do win," said Mike Patchett, "yer welcome to. But mayhap to-night I'm only going to look on." "Look on, look on," said Antonio, gaily, " and enjoy yourself.

A grand rule of life ; enjoy yourself. But if you catch not tbe fever, Eccentric, you are not made of flesh and blood. Ta-ta ! " He passed into the room in advance of Alike Patchett, who lingered behind purposely, and slipped half-a-sovereign into the willing palm of the -man who guarded the door. " All right, mate," said the man, " you're free of the saloon. I shall know you again at any time." The saloon was crowded. Round at least a score of smaU tables men were sitting playing eagerly at various games — Avhist for five pound points, poker, ad-fours, euchre, cribbage, un limited loo. In three or four places hazard was the game, and in the centre of the room was arranged what looked like a Ions.; soft bed coA*ered with a green blanket, upon which the simple game of three-up was being played by half-a-dozen sets of gamblers for variable stakes, from five pounds to a hundred, accord ing to their fancy.

The coins fell noiselessly upon the blanket, and except from the faces of the gamblers no outward signs were given that fortunes were being lost and won. There was but little noise in the room ; when the players spoke it was in hushed voices, and the occasional imprecations upon bad luck Avere uttered in tones which scarcely reached the ears of any person standing a yard off. Here and there Avas a face upon wliich no sign Avas writ of the internal passions which were raoincr. Old stagers these, whose excitement O O O -* was no less than that of more inexperienced gamesters. No person took the slightest notice of Alike Patchett, as he lingered for a few minutes here and a few minutes there, watching the play and the players ; he was careful to stand a little apart, so as not to disturb them ; and his presence, therefore, was not deemed an intrusion.

He saw Horace the moment he entered the room, but he did not immediately make his way to the table at which the young gentleman was playing. It was by gradual steps he approached the group which most interested him ; a vacant chair was near the table, and he rested his hand upon it, and studied the game. There sat at the table, in addition to Horace, three strangers of the hawk type, and Spotty. A very notable contrast to the men with whom he AA-as playing did Horace, in his faultless dress-suit, present, and no observer could have doubted that he Avas the only gentleman among them. The pink rose Avas in his button-hole, and his manner was cool and unconcerned. The stakes they were playing for Avere not very high — the game being loo, six shillings " tit-up," limited to two guineas. Horace handled his cards with imprudent carelessness, as though it was a matter of supreme indifference to him whether good or bad hands were dealt out to him.

He took the " miss " whenever he had the opportunity, and it was pretty consistently afforded to him by his associates, who were much more wary in their proceedings than he. There was a fair amount of money on the table ; but the prin cipal currency were I. 0. U.'s, written on small pieces of paper, and of these by far the greatest number displayed were in Horace's writing. " This is pretty slow," said one of the hawk tribe ; " let it be club law to liven it up." "With pleasure," said Horace, and the others agreed in silence. So club law it Avas, and the looes became more frequent. A few minutes afterwards the same hawk suggested that " black Jack should loo the board," and this was readily consented to. So black Jack loocd the board, and the looes became more frequent still. Mike Patchett stood with his hand on the chair for fully half-an-hour before Horace saw him.

The reason of this was that his chair was at Horace's back, and he had no mind to disturb the young gentleman. But Horace, turning his head, saw who it was that was standing behind him. He greeted Mike Patchett with a pleasant smile, and asked — " Did you find Victoria Lodge too dull for you . " " It wasn't over nVely," said Alike Patchett, " so I thought I'd take a turn here for a hour or so. I'm not in the way, I hope ? " " Not at all," said Horace. " I am sure these gentlemen will not object." " Object ! " exclaimed Spotty, whose atten tion had been hitherto too closely given to the game to notice Mike Patchett's presence. " I should like to hear any one object. Curse it ! I'd leave the table." The cause of Spotty 's flattering politeness was that he had heard from Horace who the rough-looking man from Pegleg was who had paid a visit to the shipping-office in the morning ; the intelligence had inspired him with a profound admiration for Alike Patchett, and he AA*as glad of the opportunity to remove from the fortunate digger's mind any unplea santness which his remarks in the office mi_rht O possibly baA*e caused.

" I was too hasty this morning," said Spotty ; " if I said anything to hurt your feelings, forget it. Let bygones be bygones. Shake hands." He held out his hand to Mike Patchett, who for reasons of his own took it. " Lord ! " said Alike Patchett, " I don't remember what yer said. It passed in at one ear and out at the other. I don't bear no malice, not me. How are yer getting on ? " " AYinning a trifle," said Spotty, in a melan choly tone, " not worth mentioning." " I am losing," said Horace cheerfully. " Perhaps you wdl bring me luck, Mr. Patchett." " Ain't got room for me, I suppose . " said Alike Patchett, Avho, by careful observation, had by this time very nearly mastered the in tricacies of the game. " I've got money to lose." " Lucky clog," said Spotty, " I wish I had as much. But Ave never play more than five."

The members of the hawk tribe acquiesced, murmuring as one man, " We never play more than five." Then Spotty said, "Let's get on with the game. AVhat do you say to making it guinea ' tit-up ' unlimited ? " " Say ! " exclaimed Horace. " AVhy, done ! It will give me a chance of winning my money back." Thereupon the game proceeded on these extended lines ; they did not, however, nor did Mike's presence, bring luck to Horace, who, at midnight, was a loser of not less than three hundred pounds. At this point it was that one of the hawk tribe, less speculative than his comrades, looked at his watch and said he was very sorry, but he must leave ; he trusted that his going w*ould not break up the game, but he had a sick wife at home, and he had promised uot to be out later than twelve. During the last hour he had been carefully paying out I.O.U's and drawing in cash for them, and his winnings were now safe in his pocket.

" AVe can play on," said Spotty ; " four's a pretty game enough, though five's a prettier, and if Air. Patchett likes to take the vacant chair, we shall be delighted to lose our money to him." No sooner said than done. Alike Patchett took the vacant chair, and laid a bundle of notes upon the table.

CHAPTER XVI.

A DESPERATE GAME. Two circumstances had not escaped his attention. The first, that Antonio had not joined the party ; and he came to the con clusion that the Italian was more profitably engaged. The second, that Horace was drink- O O -* ing more than was good for him. For his own part, although he ordered liquor, he did not taste it, except on one occasion, about half-an-hour after he commenced to play, when Horace invited him to drink. Even then he seized a favourable opportunity to pour the spirits under the table and fill his glass with water. There is a superstition with many gamblers that, when a man, for the first time, plays a game in which he is not over proficient he is certain to win. There is a less polite way of putting it : the greater the fool the greater the luck. Alike Patchett, commencing to win from the first hand of cards that was dealt him, gave his own explanation of it.

" I've got into a lucky seat," he said. Very envious looks indeed had Spotty cast at Alike Patchett's bundle of notes, only one of which had found its way into the pool at the commencement of his play, and this he drew out, with four I. 0. U.'s, in consequence of his winning the " tit-up. " He had no occasion thereafter to draw upon his own money, for flushes, king and queen, or ace and another of trumps literally poured upon him. " How is it done . " asked Spotty, as Alike Patchett, for the sixth or seventh time in almost as many minutes, swept in the pool. " That's what you've got to find out," said Mike Patchett, cheerfully. " I'd like to," responded Spotty. The two of the hawk tribe who were left were inw*ardly disturbed at the melting away of their piles of I. 0. U.'s. It was like water finding it3 level at the exact spot of the table before which Alike Patchett was sitting.

A dim suspicion tormented them that this out wardly simple gold-digger was an adept at palming the cards, as they were themselves, Spotty also being no mean hand at it. But, although they watched him narrowly, they could not detect the slightest indication of unfair play. Furtive as were their glances Mike Patchett knew of them, but did not betray his knowledge, contenting himself with keeping as close and secret a watch upon them as they did upon him. Horace, unsuspicious of this byplay, con tinued to lose with imperturbable goodhumour, and to write out his I. 0. U.'s and fling them across the table, not with the carelessness of a Rothschild — for it is a fact, despite foolish sayings, that very wealthy men are greedier for money and more eager to win than those whose bank accounts resemble a level plank, upon which no game of see-saw can be played — Horace, then, scribbled his I. 0.

U.'s and tossed them into the pool with no thought of to-morrow, or of where the money was to come from to meet his engagements. He was fond of the excitement of playing for high stakes, but had never experienced the keen agony of a gamester to whom the turning up of a card, or the shaking of a dice box, or the calling out of a number, is almost a matter of life or death. From this fire, which burns all the more fiercely because its flames are unseen, be was not Ukely ever to suffer. He was too supremely careless and indifferent, and too secure in the strong faith which pos sessed him that no disgrace or dishonour could eA*er befal him, to realise the torture which Avrings the gamester's heart as the game pro ceeds against him. Neither, therefore, was it possible for such a nature as his to experience the joy of winning ; the money he won — when fortune faA*oured him — never did him any good.

On those occasions he was invariably driven to some act of needless extravagance which quickly emptied his pockets. "You're in luck's way," said Horace to Alike Patchett, pleasantly, having just been looed by the gold-digger. " I wish he'd get out of it then," remarked Spotty, sotto voce. "I told yer," said Alike Patchett, "this morning, that it was my lucky day. It never rains but it pours." So persistently did it pour for Alike Pat chett that Spotty jumped from his chair and turned it round three times. " Now yer sure to win," said Mike Patchett, with a grin. At one o'clock he was nearly four hundred pounds to the good, and then it was proposed that the stakes should be raised to five guineas unlimited. Alike Patchett looked grave at this proposal, and turned to Horace. "AVhy not." said that young gentleman.

" It will put life into us. This is getting monotonous." His eyes were brighter than usual, and Mike Patchett saw that the drink he had taken was having an effect upon him. Each player put in five guineas, making a total of twenty-five guineas, which sum represented the amount a player would be looed for. The cards were cut for the "tit," and the ace of hearts was turned up. Each of the five players consequently had to put in twenty-five guineas, which made the pool a hundred and fifty guineas — that sum now representing the loo. The cards were cut and dealt again, and Horace was the first to declare. He had three deuces in his hand, and he took miss. Clubs were trumps. Spotty was pale as he examined his cards ; he had king and nine of trumps and the ten of spades. He tapped the table with the tip of the middle finger of his right hand.

" Aliss and one," said a hawk, throwing up his cards with an exclamation of disgust. The other hawk also threw up his cards. Alike Patchett was the last to declare. " Play," he said. Up to this point Horace had not examined the miss. Taking up his cards he saw Queen and six of trumps and the ace of hearts. He played the Queen ; Spotty, with a triumphant rap of his knuckles, capped it with his King, and Alike Patchett quietly laid doAvn the ace. Spotty glared at the lucky player, and his eA*es almost started out of his head as Alike Patchett followed up the ace Os' trumps with VOL. II. c the knave, and thus secured two tricks out of three. Everything now depended upon the card Mike Patchett had left. A small spade, and Spotty w*ould take the last trick, a heart, and the trick would be Horace's. It was the five of diamonds, and Mike Patchett took the whole pool.

Spotty greAV paler as Mike Patchett swept on to his pile the hundred and fifty guineas' Avorth of I.O.U.'s, all in Horace's handwriting. Horace and Spotty now had to put in each one hundred and fifty guineas, and the next loo, if a player failed to make a trick, w*as three hundred guineas. Again did luck favour the gold-digger, and Mike Patchett took two tricks out of three, one of the hawks and Spotty each being looed for three hundred guineas. Under the conditions of the game, therefore, if a player lost a trick, he was looed noAV for six hundred guineas. This w*as serious, and three out of the five players showed their sense of it. The hawks shifted uneasily in their chairs ; nearly all their Avinnings were gone. Spotty 's face was very white. AA'hen Alike Patchett came into the game Spotty held between f_A*e and six hundred pounds' Avorth of Horace's I.O.U.'s. Of these, barely fifty pounds' worth remained.

He had hitherto been playing on velvet ; now he was playing on thorns. Strive as he and the two hawks might, they could not change the lu«k, and at two o'clock Alike Patchett found himself in possession of eA*ery one of Horace's I.O.U.'s. At this moment it was that Alike Patchett heard a voice at his back. "Diav*olo! It is a fine night's work, Eccentric." " Jest so, Italiano," said Mike Patchett, glancinoat the dark face bending over him. " And how haATe you been getting on . " " I have also won," and Antonio shook in the palms of his hands a number of sovereigns. At this moment, too, a disagreeable diver sion occurred, of which Alike Patchett was the orio-inator. One of the haAvks, being looed, wrote an I.O.U. Alike Patchett shook his head and said — C " I object." " To what . " asked the hawk.

" To that," replied Mike Patchett, pointing to the piece of paper. "If I lose to you I will pay cash — on the nail. If you lose to me you will pay cash — on the nail." " You have taken others," said the hawk, with a look, Avhich was not amiable, at Alike Patchett's pile ; " Avhy not mine ? " " Bits of paper," explained Mike Patchett, " are all very Avell when yer know Avho yer dealing with. AVhen yer don't, they ain't to be compared to cash." " In that case," said the hawk, " I decline to continue playing — on principle." . " A very good thing is principle," said Mike Patchett, genially ; " it's a credit to a man as follers it out. I'll take the vote of the meeting on it. AVill you be responsible for this gentleman's bits of paper, Mr. Horace . " " Not I," said Horace, indolently leaning back in his chair ; " I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance."

" I thought as much. AVill you, Italiano ? " " I have to do with my own," said Antonio, his lynx eyes travelling round the table ; " it is enough. I cannot what you call guarantee." Mike Patchett folded his arms, and imi tating Horace, leaned back in his chair. " Then I suppose," said the hawk, sullenly, " the game is broken up." " If yer can't find nothink better than that bit of writing, I suppose it is." " This comes of admitting a stranger into the game," said the hawk, with wrathful glances at Spotty. "Don't blame me," said Spotty. " My honoured friend " — waving his hand towards Alike Patchett — " is a millionnaire, and if he is resolved not to play for anything but hard cash, nothing that I can say wdl cause him to change his mind, I'm sure." " Spoke like a book," said Alike Patchett, in his most agreeable manner, " bound in calf, with aU the leaves torn out."

The hawk rose, and muttering that the next time he cut cards in that room he would be careful of his company, prepared to depart. His companion hawk followed suit, and the table was left to Spotty, Horace, Alike Patchett, and Antonio, who dropped into one of the vacant chairs. Horace, the party most con cerned, as being the only loser in the party, did not stir from his indolent position. It was a matter' of indifference to him whether they continued playing — he cared not at what game ; he Avas ready for any that was pro posed — or not. A pliant reed, should he be unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of rogues. Antonio decided the question. " It is yet early," he said to Horace. " Shall w*e play . " " As you please," said Horace. " Bring me a brandy and soda, waiter." " AVhat game ? " "Any."" " Euchre, shall we say ?

" " By all means, let us say euchre, if it will be any gratification to you." " Five little sovereigns a game ; will that be agreeable ? " " Quite, or ten if you wish." " To oblige you, ten. I am complaisant, ever. Antonio did not indulge that eveninoin his operatic reminiscences. Singing was not allowed in the room. At this hour there were not so many persons present as in the earlier part of the evening, but the play w*as higher, and it was easy to see who were the losers and Avho the winners. The more prudent gamesters had gradually disappeared, and only the most careless and the most desperate remained. Fresh cards were called for, and Horace and Antonio commenced their euchre match. Alike Patchett and Spotty were left out in the cold. " I propose for you and me," said Spotty, " a modest game.

It is dull work looking on. A modest game for smad stakes. I am not a mdlionnaire." "Ad right," said Mike Patchett, "I'm agreeable, so long as it's for cash on the nail, and the game's one as I'm up in." " Certainly, for cash on the nail," acquiesced Spotty, with inward misgiving, for he had not ten pounds of ready money in his pocket. " And the game shall be picquet." " Don't know it." " Lansquenet." " Don't know nothink of them French saddles. AVe'll play a good old English game. All Fours — high, low, Jack, and game, for a crown, the best t avo out of three." This was coming to earth with a \*engeance. After five guinea loo unlimited All Fours for five shillings the best tAvo games out of three was a terrible tumble. But it suited Spotty's pocket, and it suited his humour also not to run counter to Mike Patchett's wishes.

At it they Avent, then, and Spotty did not find it at all disagreeable, for he Avon rub after rub, and in less than thirty minutes was richer by exactly as many shillings. " Just my luck," he said ; " if it was for pounds instead of shillings I suppose I should drop it like steam." " Never turn your nose up at crumbs," said Alike Patchett ; " the sparrers don't." A piece of philosophy which made Spotty stare. In the mean time the game had changed with Antonio and Horace. Euchre being voted too slow, they had drifted into the more dangerous game of poker, the excite ment of which was so powerful that Horace called for one drink after another of brandy and soda. He had drank a great deal more than he was accustomed to, and his senses were fast leaving him. Interested as he appeared to be in his game of All Fours, Alike Patchett did not for one moment relax the vigilant and secret watch he had kept the whole night upon Horace.

A little before three o'clock he declined to continue playing with Spotty, saying he was tired of All Fours, and he turned his attention to Horace and Antonio. Horace Avas still losing, and much more heavdy than he had yet done ; A*ery nearly two thousand pounds, in his I.O.U.'s, lay before the Italian. They had by degrees increased the limit till it was fixed at a hundred pounds, which was the highest " raise " either player could make. Poker was a game with which Alike Patchett was con versant, and he knew that it required a steady brain and a perfect control of the facial muscles. He soon perceived that Horace was in no condition to play with any chance of success, and he cast about for some means to provoke a diversion. To this end he adopted a singular course ; he encouraged Horace to drink, and Horace, after two stiff glasses of brandy, could hardly keep his eyes open.

This was precisely what Mike Patchett wanted. While Horace Avas nodding over his hand, Alike Patchett exclaimed, " Why, you're ars asleep ! " " Upon my honour you are right," said Horace Avith a feeble laugh ; "it would do me a world of good to close my eyes for a few moments. But Antonio has so much money of mine at his elbow that I don't care to leave off playing unless he insists upon it." " Insist upon it, friend of my heart ! " ex claimed the Italian, waving his hand grandly. " Who that knoAvs Antonio ever knew him to be the first to fly ? It would be dastardly. It belongs not to his nation. But if you are unable to continue the game what then ? AVould it not be taking an unfair advantage of you . " And he shrugged his shoulders, as though he were the helpless one, and looked round for approval of his magnanimous speech.