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fruit, planted the trees in a field he had
only recently decided to let lie fallow. What folly! When they succumbed to
an early frost and their leaves rotted, Mr. Swart accosted the captain and was
prevented from doing him bodily harm only by the strenuous intervention of others.
The whole incident merely contributed to the contempt in which he was already
held.”
The agent cleared his throat and read from his paper. “The buildings? The main
house has a vista of the York over a landscaped lawn that has seen only desultory
care. From bank to house, the lawn is some two hundred feet. The brick house
itself is seventy by forty feet, of two stories, the first twelve feet in height,
the second, nine. Inside and out, the architecture is of simple, formal lines
— what I would call ‘modest Grecian,’ if I may take the liberty. In it are five
fireplaces, four in the corners, and one in the center. There are several cellars
for the various beverages, cheeses, meats, and cook’s necessities, plus a vault
for claret, wine and such. On the first floor are the supper room, a parlor,
a ballroom, a library or study, and a breakfast room with a view of the river,
in addition to a game room with a billiard table fashioned of Cornish slate.
The second floor, reached by a fine oak staircase, consists of three bedchambers,
two children’s chambers, and a parlor or busy room for the ladies of the house.
Of course, there are numerous closets on both floors, and on the first an unobtrusive
accommodation for the house’s major domo and cook.” Mr. Stannard chuckled and
looked up from his paper. “Gentlemen, the place is nearly half as grand as the
Governor’s residence in Williamsburg. Have you ever visited our capital?”
“No,” answered Mr. Talbot.
Before Stannard could continue, the Scottish factor held up his pipe. “May I
interrupt for a moment, sir?”
The British agent nodded and took the opportunity to finish his glass of port.
McRae said, “Mr. Stannard’s son, Joseph, was informed by Mr. Beecroft, the business
agent at Brougham Hall, that Mr. Swart left two days ago to see to one of his
Henrico properties, and is not expected to return for a week or so. This fact
needn’t concern us, if there is a happy ending to these matters. By the terms
of the court order, Mr. Swart’s signature is not required to either endorse
or conclude the sale of the whole property or any part of it. He is, for all
practical matters, a tenant at Brougham Hall.”
“This is true,” volunteered Mr. Reisdale.
Stannard said, “Forgive me for not informing you gentlemen of that important
fact, and of Mr. Swart’s absence.”
Talbot chuckled. “I suppose, then, we shall be denied the chance to meet this
gentleman when we visit the property tomorrow.”
McRae smiled. “You will be spared the pleasure of meeting an apish, unkempt
man, who is usually reeking of rum.”
“Should he not, as master of the place, at this time be supervising the stemming
and prizing of his leaf?” asked Hugh Kenrick.
“He should,” said Stannard, waving his document. “But, there you are. It is
so characteristic of the man.” He squinted his eyes and continued to read. “The
outbuildings consist of a laundry, a kitchen — close by a door to one of the
cellars, I should add, which also happen to be connected themselves by doors
— a baking house, a dairy, a storehouse for provisions, a stable, and a coach
house — which contains a riding chair and a landau, neither of which I have
seen in use in years — all very prettily situated around the main house in a
courtyard laid with brick fashioned in a kiln elsewhere on the property, but
which Mr. Swart has allowed to fall into disrepair. There is a smaller house,
of two stories, twenty-five by twenty-five, the quarters of the business agent,
the overseer, and the clerk, just beyond the courtyard….There are two tobacco
barns,