Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

‘*¢ You have described the trunk that we have lost; it is the property of the lady you saw talking to me.” ‘* T have described the trunk?’’ ** Yes; described it accurately.”’ ‘/ 6* Oh, dear; oh, dear,’’ murmured Manfr I do?’ ‘* There is but one thing for you to do.’’ ** What is that?’’ ‘© Surrender the trunk.’ ‘* But the trunk does not belong to you.” > * what shall ** Tt does, and I shall summon a policeman mnie you | lead me at once to where the trunk is. ” ‘* No, no, you will not do that.” ‘el -willL.” ‘¢ You will not when I tell you something. ” ‘* What will you tell me?”’ ‘*-You have made the same mistake that others have - made.”’ ‘‘ Made a mistake?’? éé Y es. 33 é¢ How ’?’” ‘*¢ You have proved that you are not honest.” ‘* T swear you have described the missing trunk.’? ‘*' That is what they all say.’’ ‘* But I can prove it.” ‘¢ Prove that I have described the missing trunk?” €¢é Yes. 33 ‘¢ Your missing trunk?’’ ge Yes. 33 ‘Then that settles it.” ' * Settles what?’’ ‘¢That I have not your trunk in my possession. no, you are all after the treasure.” ‘* Treasure!” ejaculated the man. 66 Yes.”? 3 ' There is treasure in the trunk?” *€ Ah, it isas I told you; it is not your trunk or you would know what was in it; and what is more, I did not describe the trunk.” ‘© What do you mean?’’ ‘‘ Every one Claims it; so the first time I do not describe the trunk. I have described a dozen different trunks, and they all say that is mine, that is mine. I have not really described the trunk in my possession to any one, and its possession will drive me mad.”’ A moment the man was silent and thoughtful. He would have concluded that he had been led into a trap but for one fact. Manfred had really described the little new trunk in the most accurate manner. ‘‘ Miss, will you listen to a proposition?’ *°T will.”’ ‘‘ Are you anxious to restore that trunk to the rightful owner?’’ éé T am. 33 ‘* And when you find the rightful owner, will you restore it?” °*T will.’’ ‘And will you tell me under what circumstances you came in possession of the trunk?’’ ‘* On one condition. ”’ ‘* Name your condition. ’’ ** Tell me about the young ~_ who was with you this ‘morning.’’ No, eS cr Tn, * a a ee eee perma Sx C )e . - ' ~~. —_ 4 ere a . — 3 % > . * J 7 <f \ MANFRED’S QUEST. CHAPTER XXVI. Tm man hesitated a moment, and then said: ‘‘' There is no mystery about the young lady.” ‘*If there is no mystery about her, why should you hesitate to tell me about her?’’ ‘* It is strange you should be so anxious to know about the young lady. ’’ ‘* No, it is not strange. Iam seeking the owner of the trunk.”’ ** The young lady 3 is the young lady I am to marry.” ** And she lost a trunk?’’ ae Yes. 33 ‘© Under what circumstances?”’ ‘She shipped her trunk at C——, New York, on the Hudson. ’”’ ** ‘When?’’ ‘* About three weeks ago.’ ** ‘Will you describe the trunk?” éé Yes. 33 ** Do so.’ ‘* Tt was a little new trunk.” ** And had it any marks on it?” é¢ Yes. 33 ‘* ‘What are the marks?’ ‘* Tt is marked Miss M. M. 8.” ‘* And it is a little new trunk?’’ €é Yes. 33 ** You are describing the trunk I described to you.” ‘1 am describing the lost trunk.” ‘* You are sure?” ** Certainly.’ | ** T described a fictitious trunk.’ ** Miss, let me see your face,”” said the young man. ** ‘You can not see my face.’’ *¢ Why not?’’ ‘*T have my own reasons.”’ **T must see your face.” ‘*¢ You must?” ¢é Yes. 33 *‘ There, you are like every one else, becoming violent.” ** T have reason to become violent; you have the property of my friend in your possession.”’ ‘* Let me see, you say the trunk belongs to a young lady??? 66 Yes. 33 ‘‘'The young lady who was with you this morning?”’ 6é Yes. ’? ‘* T advertised the trunk.” ‘* You did??? "I did.’’ *¢ Well?’’ ‘‘T had several answers, and among them there was & young lady, and I really believe she is the rightful owner of the trunk; but she must furnish me proof. ”’ ‘Who does the lady claim to be?’ ‘© Miss M. M. 8.” ‘¢ And what name do the initials represent?’’ ‘© Mary Martin Silver.’’ The man let an oath fall from his lips. For some mo- ments he was lost in deep thought, and the detective said: ‘*T must go.”’ ** No; you shall not go.” ‘© ‘Why not?’ ‘* You possess the property of my friend; but answer me; you say a young lady claims the trunk?” é6é Yes. 33 ‘‘ And she claims to be Miss Mary Martin Silver??? - 1cbook