Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

\ MANFRED’S QUEST. That is all right, and I wish to ask you a few ques- &ons.’’ _ The detective remained silent. ‘You were looking for a trunk marked M. M. 8S.,”’ cone tinued the man. ‘* How do you know I was?” ** It’s all right, I know you were. ” 6 Well?” ** That trunk does not belong to you?” *¢ Who said it did?’ ** You would have no right to it if you found it,’ ** How do you know?” “*T know. ” ** You inc to know a oreid deal that does not concern aad “Who are you?’’ queried the man. “Who are you?” came the answering question. ‘*' No matter who I am so long as I ant prepared to pay well for any information I may receive.’ The detective pretended to be deeply interested at once. “You are willing to pay for information?’ $6 Yes. 33 ‘** Why do you state that fact to me?” — €* Because I think you can give me the information I week. ’’ ** About what??’’ ‘*¢The missing trunk.’’ , *¢ But I have not found the trunk.” *¢ That is all right; who sent you to search for it?” **T am not at liberty to tell. ”” ** What is your business?’’ ‘* My business is not yours.” ** See here, we will come right down to plain talk.”* ** That is-all right, I like plain talk.” **T am looking for a trunk marked M. M. 8”? ** You are?”’ 66 Ves. 33 “* So am I.”’ *¢T know it.” ** Well??? *¢ The trunk can have but one owner.” *¢ That is reasonable. ” ‘“ It belongs ~ me.” ‘“* So you say.’ ** Tf it bok to me, the party reese you represent has no claim.” ‘¢ So you say.’ “And I’d like to find out who it is that is sccking to gain possession of my property.”’ ‘* Can you prove it is yours?’’ ** Yes; I-have the checks.”’ ** So have I.” ‘<'You have the checks for that trunk?”” éé Yes. 39. ** Who gave them to you?” ** A gentleman.’’ ** A gentleman?” oS 6 Yes.’’ , *¢ What is the gentleman’s name?” **T am not bound to tell a stranger.’” *¢T will make it to your interest ’’ ‘You will?” , $6 Yes.” ‘* Do s0. *€T will pay you a hundred dollars.”’ *¢ You will pay me a hundred dollars?’ 6 Yes. 33 ** For what?’ ‘* For telling me who sent you for that trunk.’’ **T tell you a gentleman sent me.”’ ‘* What is the gentleman’s name?’ ** Do you wish to know?”’ ‘* And you will pay me a hundred dollars if I tell you?” 66 Vos, 7? ** His name is Silver.” CHAPTER XIX. At the mention of the name Silver, the man gave utter- ance to an oath, and he fixed his eyes upon our hero in &@ keen manner. ‘* A gentleman by the name of Silver sent yon to find the trunk?’ ae Yes. 3? The inquirer appeared greatly bewildered, and exhibited indications of great excitement. ‘** Where is Mr. Silver??? cé Dead.?’ Again the man gave a start. ** He is dead?”’ é¢ Yes. 33 ‘* When did he die?” ‘* About three weeks ago. ” ‘* Under what circumstances?’’ ‘* Tt has not been decided. ” ‘* Tt has not been decided?’’ é¢ No.’ ** T do not. understand.” | The detective smiled in.a strange, absent manner and said, in an indifferent tone: ‘* The coroner said it was a case of suicide. ” ‘* A case of suicider’’ é¢ Yes. 33 ‘This is a strange thing you are telling me.”’ éé Yes??? ‘* You speak in a suggestive manner.’”’ é¢ Do T3727 Se Yes. I? ‘* You say the coroner says it was a case of suicide??? ** Yes; that is what I said.’’ ‘** But in a tone that would indicate that you doubt the coroner’s verdict!”’ ¢é i do. I? ‘* ‘What do you think?” ‘¢T think Mr. Silver was murdered.”’ ‘* You knew him well?’’ 24 No.7”? ‘* And he sent you for the trunk?”’ é¢ Yes.’ *¢ ‘When?’’ ‘‘'The day before he was murdered. ”” The inquirer became more and more bewildered, ‘‘ Yours is a strange story,” he said. ** Yes; all the facts are strange. ”’ % What are they?’’ ** Why should I relate them to you? : ** Because I am interested.’’ ee How??’ ‘* Can you not see how?’’ ¢é No. bP ** T have lost a trunk. ”’ ** Yes, so you say.” ** And you claim to be looking for a trunk? * ks-com