Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED’S QUEST. a—_—_ and, strange to relate, there was but one vacant seat in the drawing-room car; and when we reached C—— a lady- passenger, deeply veiled, entered and took the seat; and, what is more singular, is the fact that it was the seat you eecupied when I first saw you.’’ — ** And the lady??’’ _ ©The moment I cast my eyes upon her, I discovered that ghe was laboring under great excitement. ”? ‘* Did you see her face?’ éé T did. 33 ** And she resembled—”’ You so nearly that even now I am half inclined’ to be- dieve you are the party I met.’’ “* IT swear I.am not! Was the lady young?’ “*T could not say, but I so judged. I only saw her face for an instant.’? “ What became of her?” “** She mysteriously diappeared.’’ ** And you have not seen her since?’’ **T have not.’’ ** It is mysterious. ” ** But: there is another mystery connected with the meet- an “Sisg ** Tell me all.’ ** T hardly dare. ”’ ** You hardly dare tell me??? ‘* That is true.’’ ** Why not?” The detective did not make an immediate answer. ‘© Please answer me.’ **T will, but we must not come to any isis conclusion. ”” It would be impossible to convey any idea of the lady’ : excitement and agitation. The detective was running several theories through his mind, but despite them all one ghastly theory remained uppermost. ** Tell me all, ”’said the lady. ** Do not insist now, later on I may tell you all with less ‘fear. 33 ** With less fear?’’ ae Yes. 3? ** What do you fear?”’ *T can hardly tell. ” ** You must tell me all.’’ ** You ate satisfied your husband was murdered ?”’ “ Tam.’ ‘And I am satisfied the veiled lady I met on the train had been with him at the time of his death. ** No, no; it can not be!’’ cried the woman. ** It is tie & ** But, if all your thecries are correct she was his child.’’ ** Tf you were his wife she was his child.’’ ** And she was with him?” éé Yes. 35 ** And you would suggest that she knew of his death???’ oe Yes. I> The woman had removed her veil, and her face was ghastly. ** Tell me all!’’ she murmured. ** It is too horrible.’’ °° What is too horrible?’’ ** What I have to tell.”’ ‘The woman bent forward and clasped the detective’s arm. “* Speak!” she exclaimed in a hoarse voice. The detective hesitated. ** Speak!” the lady repeated. ; ““ It is not necessary; listen, we will search for the miss- ing girl.” ** Tell me what you suspect.” °° T have already said too much.’’ ‘* Yes ; you have already said too much; you must tell me all.’ °° Not now.”’ ‘*'Yes, now; indeed, you have offered a fearful sugges- tion; you have invited the inference that the Be we was cognizant of her father’s death.’’ ‘* It would so appear. ”’ ‘* And you suggest that he was murdered?” ae T d 0. I? ** And the child is a fugitive?’’ ‘*So it would appear; and there is to come another strange revelation. ” ‘* You need not fear, teli me all; my child, if it be my child, is inndcent!’? ““ Tt may be that she is innocent,’’ said the detective, ** but there were blood-stains on her clothing. ’’ . CHAPTER XIV. AGAIN there followed a moment’s silence, broken at length by the lady, who said, in a calm tone: °* Ts that all??? The detective gazed upon her in amazement; and yet, away down in his heart he could not himself believe that the fair girl whom he had met was guilty. - Still the cire cumstances were strange and not easily explained. ‘* It is strange she should become a fugitive. ” ** Are you sure she is a fugitive?’’ °* Facts would so indicate. ” ** What facts?”’ ** What has become of her?” °* Like me, she may be pursued.” ** By whom?’ ** Those who would steal her father’s fortune. ”? °* There is something in that.” ** Tt can not be possible that you believe her to be a mure deress!’’ ** We will look facts in the face.’? °** Yes, we will.” ** She had blood-stains upon her clothing!’’ 6é Yes. 33 ““I met her the same night that Mr. Silver was mure dered !?? éé Yes.’? ** She was excited!” a6 Yes. bP °* And now—” °* Well, go on.”’ ** Where is she?’’ ** T have offered an explanation.’ ** But I have not told you all.’’ °* Do so.” ‘¢ She had all of Mr. Silver’s wealth in her possession!” The woman became once again greatly excited. ** How do you know?’’ ** I do know. ”’ ** She was entitled to his wealth! She was his child!’? ** Madame, I think I see a solution of the mystery.” ** And you believe my child a murderess?”’ ¢¢ No. 3? ** What do you believe?”’ ) *T have a strange theory; it has just come to me.” ** Name it.’? ** Your husband must have been aware that his daughter lived. ‘* Undoubtedly; she must have been under his care and protection all the time.’’ S.com