Fergus Hume

“ VI.—THE FIFTH CUSTOMER AND THE COPPER KEY. THE several adventures in which she had been engaged begot in Hagar a thirst for the romantic. To find that strange stories were attached to many pawned articles; to ascertain such histories of the past; to follow up their conclusions in the future—these things greatly pleased the girl, and gave her an interest in a somewhat dull life. She began to perceive that there was more romance in modern times than latter-day sceptics are willing to admit. Tropical scenery, ancient inns, ruined castles, are not necessary to create romance. ”

“ But the oddity of the affair, the strange circumstance of the figures with the letter "H" stranded among them, often made her reflective, and she was devoured by curiosity—that parent of all great discoveries—to know what key and figures meant. Nevertheless, for all her thought no explanation of the problem presented itself. To her the secret of the key was the secret of the Sphinx—as mysterious, as unguessable. ”

“ The learning of many secrets had created in her a burning desire to learn more. If ingenuity and perseverance could do it, Hagar was bent upon discovering the secret of the copper key.
This mysterious object was so covered with verdigris that she was unable to decipher the marks. With her usual promptness, Hagar got the necessary materials, and cleaned the key thoroughly. The figures—those, as Parsons had said, of Arabic numerals—then appeared clearer, and Hagar noted that they extended the whole length of the copper stem. ”

“ It is of the human heart, of human life; and even in the dingy Lambeth pawnshop it blossomed and bloomed like some rare flower thrusting itself upward betwixt the arid city stones. Romance came daily to the gipsy girl, even in her prosaic business existence. ”

“ Here was a secret, connected—as was probable from the remark of the old man—with a hidden treasure. Remembering her experience with the cryptogram of the Florentine Dante, Hagar determined to retain the key, and, if possible, to discover the secret.
"If you are really in want of money, I will let you have a pound on it," she said, casting a glance at the threadbare clothes of her customer.
"If I did not need money, I should not have come into your spider's web," he retorted. "A pound will do; make out the ticket in the name of Luke Parsons, The Lodge, Danetree Hall, Buckton, Kent." ”

“ All you have to do is to take this copper key, put it into the left eye of the eighth cherub, and find the picture. Then you can marry Miss Danetree, and the pair of you can live on the thirty thousand pounds. If she is as clever as you, you'll need it all."
Quite impervious to Hagar's irony, Frank Parsons took his leave with many admiring words and protestations of gratitude. When he found the picture he promised to let Hagar know, and to invite her to Danetree Hall to see it. ”

“ If I tell you where to find that picture, you will be able to restore her fortunes, and make her a comparatively rich woman. Now, you cannot read the cipher; I can; and so—you see!"
Young Parsons laughed outright at her comprehensive view of the situation, although he blushed a little at the same time, and gave an indignant denial to the hinted motive which prompted Hagar's speech. "I am not a fortune-hunter," he said, bluntly; "if I learn the whereabouts of Castagno's 'Nativity,' I shall certainly tell Mar—I mean Miss Danetree. ”

“ Parsons. I have come to see you about that copper key."
"You've lost it?" shouted the gruff creature.
"Not I; it's in my pocket. But I wish to know its story."
"Why?" asked Parsons, opening the gates with manifest reluctance.
Without replying Hagar marched past him, into his garden, and the porch of his house. Finally she took her seat in the chair Parsons had vacated. The old man seemed rather pleased with her ungracious behaviour, which matched so well with his own; and after closing the gates he came to stare at her brilliant face.
"You're a handsome woman, and a bold one," said he, slowly. ”

“ But my father always refused to let me learn a profession or a trade, or even to earn my own livelihood, as he desired me to succeed him as the steward of the Danetree property. In the old days the post was a good one; but now it is worth nothing."
"And your father dislikes Miss Danetree."
"Yes, because he thinks she scorns me—which she does not. But she will not let me tell him the truth until there is a chance of our marriage."
"Well," said Hagar, producing the paper on which was written the line of figures, "I am about to give you that chance. This cipher is quite easy ”

“ That means she loves you a great deal."
"Well," said the young man, slyly, "you are a woman, and should be able to read a woman's character. Don't you think so?"
"Perhaps. But you forget that I have not seen this particular woman—or rather angel, as I suppose you call her."
"You are a queer girl!"
"And you—a love-sick young man!" rejoined Hagar, mimicking his tone. "But time passes; tell me about your wooing."
"There is little to tell," rejoined Frank, dolefully. "My father is, as you know, the steward of the Danetree family ”

“ A is set down as one, B as two, and so on."
"I don't quite understand."
"I will show you. These figures must be divided into numbers, and a letter set over each. Now, the first number is twenty, and the twentieth letter of the alphabet is 'T.' The twenty-first letter is 'U.'
Then come the eighteenth and the fourteenth letters. What are they?"
Frank counted. "'R' and 'N,'" he said, after a pause. "Ah! I see the first word is T U R N,—that is turn!" ”