Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

4 ae . —_ = Fr La - : “ ——— = —— ‘ ~* al CN a RE a ee = a " . r , . iy ae 7 SE Fe SE Ce *» + ; 3 5 e.m * a ~~ Se ,. ee MANFRED’S QUEST. but my husband deserted me, yet sent me a sum of money to maintain myself. -T lived with my child in France until the infant was three years of age, when it was stolen from me.” ‘* Stolen from you!’’ ejaculated the detective. 6¢ Yes. 33 ** By whom?’’ ‘**T never knew, but I suspected. ’’ ‘* And did you never recover your child??? °° Never.”’ ** Or hear from it?’’ ** Not until news came of its death. ”’ **'The child died?’’ ** So I was led to believe. ”’ ‘** And you never saw your child again?” ** Never. ” The detective became yery thoughtful, and murmured: ‘¢ This is a wonderful revelation. I have possibly made a wonderful discovery. Proceed, madame,” he said. ‘*T came to America and sought out my husband. I appealed to him to do me justice, and I think he was in- clined to relent, but he revealed to me some ‘facts that made me aware that I had been made a victim of a dastardly plot. My honor and integrity as a woman had been assailed. I declared my innocence, and also declared that I could prove my innocence—prove that I had .been made the vic- tim of a plot, and my husband said: ** * Prove it and I will do you justice!’ ‘* Alas!?? continued the woman, “°° his declaration was overheard as he repeated it to my enemies, and they deter- mined to prevent my vindication. I was seized and carried off to a private mad-house, where I remained a prisoner for fifteen years; and it is only a few months ago that I man- aged to make my escape. I fled to the West, until I read an account of my husband’s death. J came on to New _ York, and haye paid several visits to C During one of those visits, I must have been seen and recognized by one of my old enemies, and for several days the man whom you saw has been upon my track, and I have sought every way to avoid him, and only succeeded to-night through your assistance. ”’ ‘Yours is indeed the old, old story,’’ said Manfred, ** and yet it has certainly remarkable features that make it different from the many experiences of those mae have been wronged.” *¢ What I have told you is the truth.” ** I believe your story.” : ** And you will aid me?’’ ‘* T will aid you, and I have a most wonderful revelation to make. ”’ ‘* T can anticipate it. Oh, Ifeel as though I would die!” No, you must not die; right shall be done you at last. You say you have all the proofs of your marriage?”’ ‘* Yes, and the clergyman who performed the marriage still lives. ’’ ~** He is an American?’’ ‘No; he isan English clergyman, but he now lives in America. ”’ 3 **’You have seen him?’’ **T saw him a few days ago.” ‘* And he recognized you?” ** He did, and promised me all the aid in his power.” ** Does he know that your husband is dead?’’ ** Yes, and what is more, he saw and recognized my hus- band a few weeks previous to his death.” | mind. He remembered the blood-stains. CHAPTER XIII. ‘‘-'You have been very fortunate in one sense amidst alt your misfortunes,’’ said the detective. - : ** How sor’’ ‘* You will have no difficulty in proving your identity as the wife of Mr. Silver.’’ ** ‘Yes; but justice may never be done me.’’ ** You think he has made a will?’ ‘*T do; and what is more, I believe he died a poor man.” ** IT have reason to believe differently,”’ said our hero. ‘* As far as the world is concerned he died poor. Hig estate was mostly personal, and that had been disposed of previous to his death. ’’ “Then there is no reason why your enemies should per- secute you further. ” ‘*T do not see why they should. ”’ © Does it not strike you that the fact is significant?”’ “* T have not thought of it.’’ | ‘* Your enemies and his relatives have not come forward to claim his estate or his body?’’ ** Yes; that is something I do not understand.” ‘* But you have reason to believe that they still persecute you, or rather are disposed to do so?’’ ** So 1t would appear.’’ ‘** And the fact proves something. ”’ ** What does it prover’’ ‘* That there is property at stake.’’ **T care nothing about the property. ” ** Are you rich?’’ ** No; but I can earn a living if left to myself.’* ** And what are your intentions?’ “That depends.” ‘* ‘What were your intentions?”’ ‘* It was my intention to return to the West.’’ °* And now?’’ The woman trembled and her voice was full of feeling as she said: ** A strange hope has risen in my heart.” ‘* A strange hope?’’ cé Yes. 33 ** What is the hope?” ** My child may live.”’ ** You have reason to think your child may be alive E. €¢ Yes. IS The woman’s agitation had been increased. ‘* What leads you to hope your child may be living?’” ** You have raised the hope.” é¢ iv” cé Yea 7? é¢ How?” ** You have mistaken me for some one else.”* ** One word; you still persist in declaring that it was no& you whom I met?’’ ** T swear it!”’ A moment thé detective was silent, but at length he said: **'Then indeed you have reason to hope.’’ ‘* Will you tell me about the person you met??’’ There was a sad feeling running through the detective’s He remembered the trunk containing all esd went ** You do not answer me.’ ‘*T will answer you, but I must think. There is a grea mystery in all this. ”’ O ‘* Yes, there is a mystery; but tell me about the persom you met.”’ The woman’s manner was eager and earnest. ** About three weeks ago I was traveling on the road, nicbooks “ 2° eS. os - us a +. ee i, : Te * co fi ' j " " © . ‘ * : <a 4 ca hg gt oe ~ * ; a ae e . 4 ; a & A - ay : ~ * » - Ye - = fe te) es é — a - * ale ale ee se i = i