The Lair of the White Worm

When tea was over and the servants had come to clear away the cups, LadyArabella, putting her arm round Mimi's waist, strolled with her into anadjoining room, where she collected a number of photographs which werescattered about, and, sitting down beside her guest, began to show themto her. While she was doing this, the servants closed all the doors ofthe suite of rooms, as well as that which opened from the roomoutside--that of the well-hole into the avenue. Suddenly, without anyseeming cause, the light in the room began to grow dim. Sir Nathaniel,who was sitting close to Mimi, rose to his feet, and, crying, "Quick!"caught hold of her hand and began to drag her from the room. Adam caughther other hand, and between them they drew her through the outer doorwhich the servants were beginning to close. It was difficult at first tofind the way, the darkness was so great; but to their relief when Adamwhistled shrilly, the carriage and horses, which had been waiting in theangle of the avenue, dashed up. Her husband and Sir Nathaniellifted--almost threw--Mimi into the carriage. The postillion plied whipand spur, and the vehicle, rocking with its speed, swept through the gateand tore up the road. Behind them was a hubbub--servants rushing about,orders being shouted out, doors shutting, and somewhere, seemingly farback in the house, a strange noise. Every nerve of the horses wasstrained as they dashed recklessly along the road. The two men held Mimibetween them, the arms of both of them round her as though protectingly.As they went, there was a sudden rise in the ground; but the horses,breathing heavily, dashed up it at racing speed, not slackening theirpace when the hill fell away again, leaving them to hurry along thedowngrade.

It would be foolish to say that neither Adam nor Mimi had any fear inreturning to Doom Tower. Mimi felt it more keenly than her husband,whose nerves were harder, and who was more inured to danger. Still shebore up bravely, and as usual the effort was helpful to her. When onceshe was in the study in the top of the turret, she almost forgot theterrors which lay outside in the dark. She did not attempt to peep outof the window; but Adam did--and saw nothing. The moonlight showed allthe surrounding country, but nowhere was to be observed that tremulousline of green light.

The peaceful night had a good effect on them all; danger, being unseen,seemed far off. At times it was hard to realise that it had ever been.With courage restored, Adam rose early and walked along the Brow, seeingno change in the signs of life in Castra Regis. What he did see, to hiswonder and concern, on his returning homeward, was Lady Arabella, in hertight-fitting white dress and ermine collar, but without her emeralds;she was emerging from the gate of Diana's Grove and walking towards theCastle. Pondering on this, and trying to find some meaning in it,occupied his thoughts till he joined Mimi and Sir Nathaniel at breakfast.They began the meal in silence. What had been had been, and was known tothem all. Moreover, it was not a pleasant topic.

A fillip was given to the conversation when Adam told of his seeing LadyArabella, on her way to Castra Regis. They each had something to say ofher, and of what her wishes or intentions were towards Edgar Caswall.Mimi spoke bitterly of her in every aspect. She had not forgotten--andnever would--never could--the occasion when, to harm Lilla, the woman hadconsorted even with the nigger. As a social matter, she was disgustedwith her for following up the rich landowner--"throwing herself at hishead so shamelessly," was how she expressed it. She was interested toknow that the great kite still flew from Caswall's tower. But beyondsuch matters she did not try to go. The only comment she made was ofstrongly expressed surprise at her ladyship's "cheek" in ignoring her owncriminal acts, and her impudence in taking it for granted that others hadoverlooked them also.

CHAPTER XXIV--A STARTLING PROPOSITION

The more Mimi thought over the late events, the more puzzled she was.What did it all mean--what could it mean, except that there was an errorof fact somewhere. Could it be possible that some of them--all of themhad been mistaken, that there had been no White Worm at all? On eitherside of her was a belief impossible of reception. Not to believe in whatseemed apparent was to destroy the very foundations of belief . . . yetin old days there had been monsters on the earth, and certainly somepeople had believed in just such mysterious changes of identity. It wasall very strange. Just fancy how any stranger--say a doctor--wouldregard her, if she were to tell him that she had been to a tea-party withan antediluvian monster, and that they had been waited on by up-to-datemen-servants.

Adam had returned, exhilarated by his walk, and more settled in his mindthan he had been for some time. Like Mimi, he had gone through the phaseof doubt and inability to believe in the reality of things, though it hadnot affected him to the same extent. The idea, however, that his wifewas suffering ill-effects from her terrible ordeal, braced him up. Heremained with her for a time, then he sought Sir Nathaniel in order totalk over the matter with him. He knew that the calm common sense andself-reliance of the old man, as well as his experience, would be helpfulto them all.

Sir Nathaniel had come to the conclusion that, for some reason which hedid not understand, Lady Arabella had changed her plans, and, for thepresent at all events, was pacific. He was inclined to attribute herchanged demeanour to the fact that her influence over Edgar Caswall wasso far increased, as to justify a more fixed belief in his submission toher charms.

As a matter of fact, she had seen Caswall that morning when she visitedCastra Regis, and they had had a long talk together, during which thepossibility of their union had been discussed. Caswall, without beingenthusiastic on the subject, had been courteous and attentive; as she hadwalked back to Diana's Grove, she almost congratulated herself on her newsettlement in life. That the idea was becoming fixed in her mind, wasshown by a letter which she wrote later in the day to Adam Salton, andsent to him by hand. It ran as follows:

"DEAR MR. SALTON,

"I wonder if you would kindly advise, and, if possible, help me in a matter of business. I have been for some time trying to make up my mind to sell Diana's Grove, I have put off and put off the doing of it till now. The place is my own property, and no one has to be consulted with regard to what I may wish to do about it. It was bought by my late husband, Captain Adolphus Ranger March, who had another residence, The Crest, Appleby. He acquired all rights of all kinds, including mining and sporting. When he died, he left his whole property to me. I shall feel leaving this place, which has become endeared to me by many sacred memories and affections--the recollection of many happy days of my young married life, and the more than happy memories of the man I loved and who loved me so much. I should be willing to sell the place for any fair price--so long, of course, as the purchaser was one I liked and of whom I approved. May I say that you yourself would be the ideal person. But I dare not hope for so much. It strikes me, however, that among your Australian friends may be someone who wishes to make a settlement in the Old Country, and would care to fix the spot in one of the most historic regions in England, full of romance and legend, and with a never-ending vista of historical interest--an estate which, though small, is in perfect condition and with illimitable possibilities of development, and many doubtful--or unsettled--rights which have existed before the time of the Romans or even Celts, who were the original possessors. In addition, the house has been kept up to the _dernier cri_. Immediate possession can be arranged. My lawyers can provide you, or whoever you may suggest, with all business and historical details. A word from you of acceptance or refusal is all that is necessary, and we can leave details to be thrashed out by our agents. Forgive me, won't you, for troubling you in the matter, and believe me, yours very sincerely.

"ARABELLA MARCH."

Adam read this over several times, and then, his mind being made up, hewent to Mimi and asked if she had any objection. She answered--after ashudder--that she was, in this, as in all things, willing to do whateverhe might wish.

"Dearest, I am willing that you should judge what is best for us. Bequite free to act as you see your duty, and as your inclination calls. Weare in the hands of God, and He has hitherto guided us, and will do so toHis own end."

From his wife's room Adam Salton went straight to the study in the tower,where he knew Sir Nathaniel would be at that hour. The old man wasalone, so, when he had entered in obedience to the "Come in," whichanswered his query, he closed the door and sat down beside him.

"Do you think, sir, that it would be well for me to buy Diana's Grove?"

"God bless my soul!" said the old man, startled, "why on earth would youwant to do that?"

"Well, I have vowed to destroy that White Worm, and my being able to dowhatever I may choose with the Lair would facilitate matters and avoidcomplications."

Sir Nathaniel hesitated longer than usual before speaking. He wasthinking deeply.

"Yes, Adam, there is much common sense in your suggestion, though itstartled me at first. I think that, for all reasons, you would do wellto buy the property and to have the conveyance settled at once. If youwant more money than is immediately convenient, let me know, so that Imay be your banker."

"Thank you, sir, most heartily; but I have more money at immediate callthan I shall want. I am glad you approve."

"The property is historic, and as time goes on it will increase in value.Moreover, I may tell you something, which indeed is only a surmise, butwhich, if I am right, will add great value to the place." Adam listened."Has it ever struck you why the old name, 'The Lair of the White Worm,'was given? We know that there was a snake which in early days was calleda worm; but why white?"

"I really don't know, sir; I never thought of it. I simply took it forgranted."

"So did I at first--long ago. But later I puzzled my brain for areason."

"And what was the reason, sir?"

"Simply and solely because the snake or worm _was_ white. We are nearthe county of Stafford, where the great industry of china-burning wasoriginated and grew. Stafford owes much of its wealth to the largedeposits of the rare china clay found in it from time to time. Thesedeposits become in time pretty well exhausted; but for centuries Staffordadventurers looked for the special clay, as Ohio and Pennsylvania farmersand explorers looked for oil. Anyone owning real estate on which chinaclay can be discovered strikes a sort of gold mine."

"Yes, and then--" The young man looked puzzled.

"The original 'Worm' so-called, from which the name of the place came,had to find a direct way down to the marshes and the mud-holes. Now, theclay is easily penetrable, and the original hole probably pierced a bedof china clay. When once the way was made it would become a sort ofhighway for the Worm. But as much movement was necessary to ascend sucha great height, some of the clay would become attached to its rough skinby attrition. The downway must have been easy work, but the ascent wasdifferent, and when the monster came to view in the upper world, it wouldbe fresh from contact with the white clay. Hence the name, which has nocryptic significance, but only fact. Now, if that surmise be true--and Ido not see why not--there must be a deposit of valuable clay--possibly ofimmense depth."

Adam's comment pleased the old gentleman.

"I have it in my bones, sir, that you have struck--or rather reasonedout--a great truth."