Guy Earlscourt's Wife — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

58 Told in the Twilight. said to ina, :n his most confidential way, ‘and I shall probably ~ not return for two days at least. In my absence the care of © this safe is intrusted to you!’ , “I looked at him in surprise and distrust. ““Why leave such valuable jewels in the house? Why not deposit them in the Swansborough Bank? “His answer was very careless, and quite ready. “Because, immediately upon my return, they are to be taken up to London, to be new set for Olivia, Her marriage with Sir Vane Chart teris 1s to take ptace in iwo months, and they are to be set according to her fancy.’ “He looked me straight in the eyes, with a dark, sinister smile, as he said this, and left the house. It was the middle of the afternoon as he rede away. I recollect his turning round, with the same smile on his dark face, as he rode down the avenue. “Watch the safe, Robert,’ he repeated; ‘it will be as ¢ce- — in your keeping as though in the strong room of a ank. “Tt was the middle of the afternoon. As the dusk of the bleak December evening wore on, the postman brought the mail. There was a note from her, dated London, begging me to come to her at once—to lose not a moment. There was the address of an inn, where I was to stay, and at such an hour she would come to me there. I never doubted that note. What was my employer, and his diamonds. and his safe, to me then? I ran to my room, packed my portmanteau, waited until the house was quiet, and that very night, without in- forming any one, was on my way to London. I reached the inn late the next day. A great part of the journey was per- formed in stagecoac ies. I waited for my wife, but she nevei came. I waited three days. At the end of that time there came, instead of Olivia, her uncle and an officer of the law. armed with a search-warrant. “On the night of my departure, my employer, returning rather unexpectedly, found the safe unlocked, the jewels and money gone. I was gone, too. Every inmate of the house was examined, but all proved their innocence triumphantly. I was the guiity party beyond a doubt, and I was followed. After two days’ search they found me. I and my baggage were to be examined. I lstened with astonishment and an- ger and scorn! Examine! Let them examine as long as they pleased! They searched me—a degradation I submitted to, ' afire with rage! ‘hey examinea my portmanteau. There, earetfuliy sewed up ty the lining, the Jewels and money were found! “My late employer dismissed the detective. We wene !cii comicbooks.com