Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

38 ** He stole her from you?”’ ** I have always so believed. ”’ ** And not his relatives?’’ ** T have always so believed. ” ** He lived many years at C——.” ** So I have learned.’? ** His daughter did not live with him. ’? ** But there was a lady once visited him. ” “* You have learned that fact?”’, oe Yes. 33 ** And you believe the myatetiotia visitor was his daugh- ter? 33 ‘* Since hearing your story I have reached that conclu- sion.”” ‘TI think you are right; what more do you believe?” **T have a ee founded on what I have heard from you. 23 “* Tell it to me.’ **T repeat, I believe the father stole his own child. ”? ¢¢ Yes. 33 ** And I now believe he was conscious all the time of her existence; indeed, she may have been under his direct care,”’ = Gaknown to the enemies of your child?’?’ ** It is possible. 7? “* Proceed. ”’ ** At the last moment he may have sent for her. ”” ** It would so appear. ” “* My enemies may have have had him under the most constant surveillance. ’’ “* It would so appear.’ | ** ‘They heard at the last moment of the daughter’s ex- istence.’’ ** It would so appear. ”’ ** And then?’’ ** Wellt’’ ejaculated the detective, interrogatively. ** They murdered him!’ ** That is my present theory.” ** You said she had her father’s wealth in her possession as é¢ = i did. I3 ** How do you know?’’ ** I made the discovery in the most singular mannor. ”” ** Tell me all about it, please. ?’ “* When the lady boarded the train she had a trunk, ”? éé Yes. 33 ** She left the train in a most mysterious manner.’ ** 'W here?’’ ‘* At the New York depot.’’ *S Well?’’ ** She did not call for her trunk.”? ** She did noé call for her trunk?” é¢ No. 33 ** How do you know??’’ Ihe detective told the circumstances of his discovery of | the trunk. The woman became once again excited and said: ** There comes a terrible suggestion.” ** I have thought of that, but somehow I do not entertain - 2 ‘* Where, then, can she be?” “* We will find her. ” ‘‘ Why did she not come for her trunk?” ** She may have feared to do so.” “* Then it would appear she was friendless.”? ** It would indeed so appear.” “* And in her turn she may have made away with herself. eg **T do not believe it. ” ** You secured possession of the trunk?” ae aa, © MANFRED'S QUEST. ** Ié is in your possession now?” it 3 Yes. 33 ** Our meeting, sir, is most wonderful.” ** Under all the circumstances, yes. ”’ ‘* We will go to New York. Iam now in your hands We will open the trunk. I have the right to open it.”? .** I have already opened it, madame.’ And you found the will?’’ ‘cc No. 33 ** What did you find??? _** The fortune. ” : ‘* The fortune?’’ repeated the lady. ¢é Yes. 33 ‘* I do not understand you. ”’ ** My words are plain.’’ ‘* You say you found the fortune??? €¢ Yes. ’? ** Deeds?” ¢é No. ’”? ** What??? ** Cash, bonds, and jewels. ” The lady uttered an exclamation of amazement, and, after a moment, said: ‘* One fact is assured.” ** Indeed!?’ ** Yes; I can trust you?’ ** Certainly you can, madame. ” ** Did you count over the wealth??? °* T did. ”? ** And the amount?”’ ‘* Over a quarter of a million!’? ** All in personal effects?” — ¢¢ Yes. 33 ** Then, sir, this all proves the fact]? | . ** What fact??? ** My daughter’s innocence!?? CHAPTER XV. ‘* How does it establish your daughter’s innocence??? dee manded the detective. **T have a theory, but I do not know as I can make it plain.’* 3 The conversation continued for some time ag the two thus strangely met walked down toward the wharf. Later on they took passage on the boat for New York, and fortunately were able to secure a good breakfast. Arriving in New York the detective led the lady to his home, and in due time showed her the trunk. Mrs. Silver’s emotion was great as she gazed upon the trunk and its contents. ** My child is dead,” she said. ** I have no such idea,” said the detective. ‘* Through my mind there runs a theory.” ** And what is your theory?’ ** My child has been murdered. ”” ** What makes you think so?” ‘* Her mysterious disappearance.” ** I have formed an entirely different ‘theory. 3 - ** What is your theory??? ‘* The girl discovered she was being followed and has sought to elude her pursuers. ”’ ‘* Why should she leave this trunk unclaimed?” ‘* She did not dare claim it, and I will make it my bugi- ness to find her; in the meantime you must make this your home. ’’ Lhe lady blushed and said: nok renner test ae - bate