Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED'S QUEST. **T think not.’’ ‘** Yes, yes; and you have a good, kind face. I remember I thought so when I first beheld it, and it is strange | should meet you again under such singular circumstances; but I dare not tell you my story.”’ The man was becoming bewildered, the veiled lady talked in such an incoherent manner; and yet his curiosity was aroused, and he became more and more anxious to hear her strange story. ** Will you tell me where you saw me?” ** Oh, I know I saw you.’ ‘*T must doubt the accuracy of your memory, unless you tell me where you saw me.” ** I saw you this morning.’’ “© Where?” ** You were with a lady veiled as I am veiled.” ‘* Yes, I was with a lady.”’ ** Whois that lady??? demanded the disguised: Manfred. ”’ ** My sister,” said the mem ** No, it is not your sister.’ ** Ah, you doubt my word??? ” Yes, Fd" ** Why should you?” ** Oh, I remember now, I am afraid of you.” ** You are afraid of me?” ‘* Yes, I am.”’ The gentleman was at length fully: convinced that he was talking to a lunatic. ‘* Why should you be afraid of me?”’ he demanded. ‘* Because you were talking about a missing trunk,’’ came the startling answer. — . CHAPTER .XXV. THE man gave a start, and exclaimed: ‘* Because we were talking about a missing emake E 24 Yes. I3 ** How do you know?’’ ‘* T sat near you'and overheard all you said.’’ The man for an instant appeared to be completely upset; indeed, he was bewildered. ‘* What concern can you have in a missing trunk?’’ ** Oh, that I could tell you,’’ said the detective. ** Why do you not tell me?’’ ** T dare not.’’ * Why not?’’. **’You would murder me.’’ **T would murder you?’’ c¢ Yes: 33 ‘* My dear young lady, will you excuse me if I speak plainly??? ** Certainly. ”’ ** You will not be offended??? ** Certainly not.’ ‘‘T believe you are crazy:”’ ‘*T am not crazy. I know just what I am saying. I am in such trouble, however, and all about a trunk.”’ ** You are in trouble, and all about a trunkr’’ €é Yes. 33 ‘** What is your trouble about a trunk? : ** Ah, that I dare tell you.’’ ** You must tell me. ”’ ** You look like a good, true man.” “* IT am a good, true man.”’ ‘* And yet if I were to tell you about the trunk you would rot believe my story. ’’ _. I promise I will believe anything you say.” **'Then you might kill me!” ** Why should I kill youf’’ ‘Oh, I have been haunted ever since the fatal mistake!” ** What fatal mistake, miss?’’ ** Since 5 fatal mistake when that trunk came into my - possession. ” The man showed signs of great excitement, and his voice trembled as he asked: ‘* Have you got possession of a trunk by mistake?’ - - *©Oh, I dare not tell you!’ | ‘°° You must tell me!’’ The man seized the veiled lady’s arm. ** T dare not tell you!” ** But you must!’’ ‘* There, there! see, the moment I mention the (eae how violent you become! That trunk is bewitched, and the mention of its existence. bewitches every one else! And I’ve been pursued and hunted ever since it was delivered to me by mistake!’’ : ** Miss, are you honest?”’ ** Yes, I am honest.’’ ** And have you a trunk in your possession that does not belong to your”’ ** T have. ”’ * Why do you not seek the right owner?”’ °° I will seek the right owner. ’’ ** ‘Why are you so secret?” ‘* Ah, if you knew all, you would see how I must be careful! Yes, yes, I must be careful!’ ‘* Tell me your story.”’ ‘*T dare not??? ** You dare not???’ 66 No. 93 °° You must?’ **You would not believe my mary ** Yes, I will believe your story. ”’ ws But I must only tell my story when I find the righé owner.’ ‘<The right ownict? | 66 Vag a ‘* How can you find the right owner if you remain si- lent?” ** Oh, I will find her. ’’ ** It belongs to a lady?” €é Yes. ’? ** How do you know?”’ ** TI know.’’ é¢ Howr’’ ‘‘ That is my secret.’ °* Will you describe this mysterious trunk?” Manfred described the trunk, and the man became greatly excited. ‘* See, see,*’ she exclaimed, ‘‘ See excited you are be- coming! . Oh, what shall I do? When shall I find the poor girl to whom the trunk helsuge: and be relieved of this ter- rible responsibility?” ** How is it such a terrible responsibility?” — “* Yt is a terrible responsibility. ’’ °° Miss, that trunk must be sumrentiacedis®* “* Certainly, when I find the right owner.” ‘* You say you saw me before 7 : 6¢ Yes.’?. | **Ina rentaurent??? Z4 Yes. 33 ** I was talking to a lady?’’ Ge Yes. 33 ‘* We were talking about a missing bein ce : é¢é Yes. BE