Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED’S QUEST. ** Thave a little advice to give you,’’ said Manfred. _ Where is the man who spoke to me?”’ — ** Qh, he’s all right. He’ll be on hand again if I need him; but now let me tell you one thing: there will arrive @ train here in about seven minutes going north. . I want ~you to get aboard of that train.’’ ** You want me to get aboard of that train?” oe Yes. 33 “® You can not get rid of me in that way.”’ ** Oh, yes, I can.’ ‘This woman is a State ward; ; you are defying the State law when you interfere with me.’ The woman interfered, and said: ‘*'That is false; and besides, this man does not come from the asylum.” ‘¢ T shall summon assistance,’’ said the man. ‘*One moment,” interrupted Manfred. ‘* Come with me. ’’ ** Go with you?’’ 6¢ Yes. 2? *¢ Why shall I go with yout” ** T will explain.’’ The detective managed to convey to the man a suggestive wink; the latter appeared to understand the meaning, and he walked away toward the edge of the platform. Man- fred followed, the two men crossed the track, and walked away in the darkness. A cunning scheme had entered the detective’s mind. He desired to have a little private talk with the fellow and work his scheme. The two men walked some distance from the track, and when they came to a halt, the detective said: “See here, my friend; you wish to gain possession of that lady?”’ 66 T do. I? ** Then you must be. perfectly frank with me.’ ** T have been.’ ** T know better. ” “** T swear the lady is an escaped lunatic.” ** She admits that, and I know the statement to be true.’? ** What do you want?’’ ** You are not after her to take her back to the asylum. ” ** Yea, tam. ”* **T know better. ’’ ** What do you knowf”’ ‘‘T know more than you think, and I tell you if you want the woman you must be frank with me. See here, did Lawyer Dodge engage you to secure the woman?” The man uttered an exclamation of amazement; his ejaculation was really involuntary and betrayed his aston- ishment, and was also an important admission. ‘The detective was slowly opening up a theory in connec- tion with the man and the woman, and had he seen her face when her yeil was blown aside he would have made a discovery that would have caused his hair to stand on end. Lawyer Dodge was the lawyer who had been the adviser and business agent of the old man who had committed suicide at O——-. ‘The detective had ascertained that fact, and, furthermore, he was well satisfied that the old recluse was not a pauper but a millionaire, and he was assured also that there was a deep and singular sda involved in the tragedy. Manfred was fully convinced in his mind that the treas- ure trunk had come from the house where the tragedy had occurred, that it was the property, or, at least, in the tem- porary custody of the vailed beauty who had the blood stains on her veil. ** Who is Lawyer Dodge?’’ queried the man, after a mo- ment. ‘* Don’t attempt to play me,”’ said Manfred. °° You have owned up I am not fool.’’ ‘**T do not understand you.” ‘" Yes, you understand me well enough. T'imow some- thing about this’Silver murder.’’ The man again uttered’ an exclamation of amazement: indeed, he was completely disconcerted for the moment. He managed to recover himself, however, and asked: ** Who are you?’’ ** No matter whoI am. Who are you?” °° T have told you.”’ °° Yes; a lie. ” ** Be careful. Do not call me a liar!” ‘* Oh, you can not hurt any one. I am too old a bird for you. Now, mark my words, I’ll advise you to take the train going north. ”’ ** T’ll take no train going north. ’’ °° Yes, you will.’’ °° Never!?’ ** I will arrest you.” ** You will arrest me?’’ repeated the man. °* That is what I said. ”’ ** On what charge will you arrest me?’’ ‘¢ On suspicion.’? ** Suspicion?” é¢ Yes. 33 ‘*T do not know what you are driving at.” ‘* You don’t, eh?’’ °*T do not.’’ ‘*Tt isn’t necessary to _ explain. I mean business, and I’ve given you a chance.’ ‘*T must take the lady with me i 7 20 pala 6 ** You will take no one with you.’ °° T will call for aid.”’ ** All right, call; and the moment you do, I will ut 7 you under arrest.’ ’ ** Are you an officer?’’ ‘* It takes men in full authority to make arrests.” ** Are you an officer?’’ ‘* You will find out soon enough. ”” ‘* See here, mister, I see what you are up to, and I’vea proposition to make.”’ ‘* What is your proposition?’ ** You can make some money.’’ °*T can?’’ , 6¢ Yes. 33 é¢é How?” ‘‘ There is a large reward offered for the capture of that lady there. I will share it with you.”’ The detective laughed. *¢ Why do you laugh?’’ ‘* That you should take me for a fool.”” The man advanced, and said: ‘* Let me whisper something in your ear.” Se Do SO, 33 The man approached and pretended to lean forward to whisper, but instead, he suddenly drew a knife and made -a@lunge. Our hero had anticipated his movement, and was prepared. He leaped back, and then suddenly sprung fore ward and dealt the man a blow that brought him to his knees. He dealt him a second blow, and the man rolled over insensible.