The first of these was of no
great consequence, but the second was very startling, embarrassing, and
even alarming.'
'What was it, Cousin Monica?' I whispered.
'I can only tell you in a general way, it is so very long since I read
it; but both were written in the same kind of slang, and parts as hard to
understand as a prize fight. I hope you never read those things.'
I satisfied this sudden educational alarm, and Lady Knollys proceeded.
'I am afraid you hardly hear me, the wind makes such an uproar. Well,
listen. The letter said distinctly, that he, Mr. Charke, had made a very
profitable visit to Bartram-Haugh, and mentioned in exact figures for how
much he held your uncle Silas's I.O.U.'s, for he could not pay him. I can't
say what the sum was. I only remember that it was quite frightful. It took
away my breath when I read it.'
'Uncle Silas had lost it?' I asked.
'Yes, and owed it; and had given him those papers called I.O.U.'s promising
to pay, which, of course, Mr. Charke had locked up with his money; and the
insinuation was that Silas had made away with him, to get rid of this debt,
and that he had also taken a great deal of his money.
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