The House of the Black Ring: A Romance of the Seven Mountains

Chapter XIX: The Last of the Hartswicks

chapter XiX the last of the hartswicks it seems to be a rule of nature that like shall seek like,and that they shall move together in swarms. Hence a variety of proverbs:“Birds of a feather,” and“It never rains but it pours,” and“Misfortunes never come singly.” Life drones on for a man’s-age without jar or change, when, all unheralded, the break comes, and shocks and horrors crowd one upon the heels of the other. Thus the little valley stagnating among the hills, with no change in a year save the weather and the season and the moon, all of a sudden crowded into twenty-four hours a lifetime of sensations. The robbery, the discoveries at the barn, the mob, the vanishing of the fugitives, the tragedy of Lona, the cave, the solution of the century-old Heller mystery , the strange captive,—all jammed into a matter of hours, and the end not yet. Squire Hartswick, however, was not philosophising. His capacity was one idea at a time, and he drove the tragedy on with relentless precision. By daybreak he had Jim and the stranger safely imprisoned in the Hartswick mansion,and was driving arrangements by telephone for the preliminary hearing. It would of course be a mere matter of form, and soon over, and the sooner the better: for the prisoners must be safe in the county jail before night. But the justice before whom the hearing was to be held could not arrive before ten, and the Squire fretted and fumed. the last of the hartswicks { 199 } By eight o’clock the space about the store was crowded as if for a farmers’ picnic. Every available place for hitching, for rods up and down the road, was taken. The people were even scattering into the Hartswick grounds. The morning, however, was eventless until shortly after nine, when a strange hush came over the multitude—a hush so instant and complete that those within the house noted it and looked out. Squire Hartswick even ran to the porch. An unfamiliar buggy was on the driveway,and the woman by the driver,—there could be no mistake,— was Rose Hartswick. The Squire rubbed his eyes, and fumbled for his spectacles. Then he bustled out to meet her. “Why, Rose——” “What does this crowd mean, father? Quick; what’s happened?” She leaned far over in her eagerness. “How did you get here? What are you here for?” he blurted out almost brutally. “I came because I was needed. Now tell me what you’re doing. Tell me.” There was a dangerous light in her eyes. “Go to your room, Rose. I’ll see you there.” He turned abruptly and started toward the barn. “Father!” she called commandingly, but he did not stop or turn. Then she saw her mother’s face at a window, and ran quickly up the path. “Rosie,—why, Rosie!” “Tell me, mother, what is it? What’s happened?” “The sheriff ’s here, and they are going to have a trial.” “What for?” “Somebody broke into the store, and they’ve arrested Jim Farthing and his father.” “What proof have they got?” She was fairly shaking in her excitement . “They found the goods in Mr. Farthing’s barn.” “The goods stolen from father’s store?” “Yes; and they found Karl’s stamp book there, too.” “Where’s the sheriff? I must see him this instant.” “He’s in the dining-room,—but, Rose.” But she had disappeared into the dining-room where the sheriff was making preparations for the coming trial. “Are you the sheriff, sir?” “I have that honour, madam,” he replied importantly. “Then you’ll allow me to attend the trial.I have important evidence.” the house of the black ring { 200 } “You’ll have to speak to the judge, madam.” “All I ask is to be allowed to remain in the room; will you allow that?” “All right; sit right here. We’ll be ready in a minute.” He placed a chair for her near the window. There was a commotion in the front hall; the justice had arrived,— a florid, stout old gentleman, with a stern eye. Squire Hartswick, who was with him, stopped short when he saw Rose, then strode over to her angrily. “This ain’t no place for you,” he whispered sharply.“There won’t be only men here. Go to your room at once...