Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

as =e g < oe — = oe . = a gle - _ i—_ rae - . - ee ee en 4 =< — _ - ~ — MANFRED’S QUEST. ** We can not tell.” — The two were speaking in low, earnest tones. **T must see your face.”’ ** You shall.’’ ** As soon as an opportunity offers.” ** Remove your veil.’’ _ ** You insist??? €6é T ae eal ‘**' Then we will go out to the platform.’” ‘Very well; we-will go.”’ ** And attract attention?’’ ** I must see your face. ** Tt is strange you are so persistent. ”’ ‘* Remove your veil just for an instant. ’’ The woman obeyed, and the detective let an oath fall | from his lips. CHAPTER XI. MANFRED had but a passing glimpse of the strange | woman’s face, and to his amazement and complete mo- mentary discomfort he recognized the same features he had seen two weeks ago when a gust of wind tore aside a certain lady’s veil. A silence followed the raising of the veil, broken at length by the detective, who said: ‘*T did not think you would attempt to deceive me. I have lost confidence in all your declarations!” ** T have not deceived you!’’ ‘© And you persist?’’ ‘*T do; I have not deceived you!” ** Let me ask you one question. ”’ The detective prepared to watch the woman closely as he put the question. ~ ** You have lost a trunk?’’ he said. ‘*T have not lost a trunk.”” _ ‘* You have not lost a trunk?’’ **T have not.”’ ** And you still declare you did not ride down from C—— about two weeks ago, on the night of the great storm?’’ ‘* T did not ride down from C—— that night. Iwas not within three hundred miles of C—— at the time you men- tion. ”’ Again the detective fell into silence. He could not un- derstand why the mysterious woman should seek to deceive him. °° T’m sorry,”’ he said, ** you are not perfectly frank with me. 37 ‘*T am perfectly frank with you.’’ ** And you did not ride down in these cars from C—— two or three weeks ago?” ‘* T did not.’’ ‘* You have not lost a trunk?’ ‘*T have not lost a trunk.’’ ‘* T have a lost trunk in my possession.’” ** Indeed ??’. €¢é Yes.’ 3 ** Well, I have not lost one.” ** This is all very strange,’’ said the detective. ** Yes; and your questions and remarks are very strange. ’” **T have a reason for asking the questions, and I have a reason for doubting your word.” ** You do doubt my word?” ** Excuse me, but I do.’’ ** What have I said that you doubt?’’ ‘* You have said you did not lose a trunk. a **T told the truth.’’ ‘© You have said you did not ride down on this train twe or three weeks ago.”’ **T did not; and why do you doubt my word?’’ -** Thave the best reason in the world for doubting your word.”’ : **T do not understand. ’’ ** T will explain. ’’ ** Please do.”’ ‘* T was on the train.”’ ** Well?’’ ‘* I saw you.”’ ‘* Saw me!’’ repeated the woman. ‘** ‘Yes; I saw you and spoke to you.” ‘* ‘You saw me and spoke to me?’’ * Oe ‘* Sir! it is impossible that you speak truly!’? — ‘¢ Why should you deny it?” ‘*T swear you did not see me!’’ ** This is all very mysterious. ’’ ** Indeed, it is.’ The veiled lady’s voice betrayed considerable agitation, and, after a moment, she added: **T wish you would speak plainly, s sir.” ** T have spoken plainly, even to rudeness. to accuse you of deception.” ‘© And you really believe you saw me?’’ **T am sure I did.” A moment the lady was silent, but the detective could see that her agitation was very great. **T do not know what to make of your assertion. ” *¢ Why not?’ ‘Tt seems so strange that you should make such a mite take.’” **T have not made a mistake. ’’ ‘‘ You certainly have. I swearI was not on this train!” ‘* Can I believe you?’’ | ** You must!’ ‘* Simply because your mistake opens up and suggests a most wonderful probability. ’’ ** What is the probabilityr’’ ‘* That you saw some one who resembled me!?’ °* Tf I did not see you, I certainly saw some one who bears - a singularly striking resemblance. ” The lady’s agitation evidently increased. ‘Oh, sir,’’ she said, ‘‘ tell me all about it!’? At this moment the train came to a halt. ** We will alight here,’’ he said. ‘** But it is so late. Where can we got Z «We will wait at the station; itis near morning. At four o’clock there is a boat sails trom the lower town which goes direct to New York.’’ ‘Lhe two left the train, and together started to walk down I have dared What can we to the landing, a distance of two miles. On the road the conversation was resumed; the lady said: ** You must tell me of the lady you met.’’ ‘** One word: On your sacred honor you swear it was not your’’ 6¢ I TP ga ‘* One word more: Is there to be perfect confidence be- | tween us?’’ ** Remember, we have but just met. ”’ ee °° But under remarkable circumstances.” ** Yes; but I ss not yet assured that I can place perfect cotifidence § in you.” °° You will when I explain. et ** Please explain.’? - _ - > i6 a ¥ Os as t oe “ie Se ~<a _—