Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED’S QUEST. ‘* Yes. ” _ “This statement ts very strange. de??? ‘* I believe her to be Mary Martin Silver. ”’ ‘* She is not!’’ ** She is not?”” 66 No. Ie ** How do you know?” ** I know the real Mary Martin Silver.” > "sou aor?’ 4&6 Yes.’ 3 ** Where is she?”’ ** She is the lady who was with me this morning.” “** I can not believe you. ” ** But I can prove it.” ‘Can Miss Silver, whom you know, describe the con- tents of the trunk?’’ * Yes,” ‘* If she does, she shall have it.’’ . ** Will you go with me to. her houset’’ ** What for?” ** She shall describe to you the contents of the trunk.” “ az ft A moment the detective appeared to be lost in deep | thought, but at length he said: ** It is useless for me to go.”’ we Watyt ** You intend treachery.”’ ** Nonsense! Why do you suspect treachery?’’ ** I have met with so much of if. I will not go to your house, but you can bring the young lady to where I have the trunk.’’ The man uttered an exclamation of exultation. The ex- tlamation came involuntarily, as he said: ** That is just and right, and proves you are honest.” ** Certainly Iam honest; but I have not told you the atrangest part of my story. There is a horror connected with the trunk. ” ** A horror??? 46 Y es. 33 ** ‘What horror?” ** There is a voice comes from the trunk.” Who can the woman | ** And you will meet me to-night?” 66 ‘Yes. 3? ** And take me to see the trunk?’’ ** Yes; on one condition. ”’ e What i is your condition?’’ ‘* You must not say anything about the affair to any one until after you have seen the trunk. ’’ °* I will promise. ” ** And you will meet me to-night?” ** Yes; at what hour?” “* Hleven o’clock.’’ *¢ Why at that hour?’’ ‘* The voice from the trunk is only heard at midnight; and, now mark me, I shall know whether or not you keep your word. This trunk is one of the greatest mysteries ever revealed, and you will meet with some startling ad- ventures to-night.’’ - ‘* IT am: prepared to encounter any adventures. ’ ** You will know the trunk when you see iti”? © ‘6 Yes. 23 ** And you will feel the right to claim ite”? é¢é Yes. 33 : ‘* Very well; you must take the responsibility; you have _ no idea, however, what you must go through. ”’ ** I tell you I am prepared to face all perils in the cause of right.”’ ** You will run great risk unless you are right.’’ ** Where will I meet you?”’ The detective named a place of meeting. CHAPTER XXVII. ** IT WILL leave you now,”’ said our here. ** You will surely meet mef”’ A O85 bat remember you must not follow me When I go from hare’ ** What makes you think I will follow you??? **T have been pursued so often before.’? ** By whom?”’ ** By every one to whom I revealed the possession of the | trunk. ” The man gazed in amazement, and after 2 moment ex | claimed : ** This is all a farce!” ** We will so call it, and I will bid you good-day. ** No, you shall not bid me good-day; you have promised to show the trunk.’’ ** But you have said it was all a farce.’” ** Certainly, the voice part.”’ ** It is not a farce to me; you shall go with me alone and see the trunk, and then you shall decide whether or not you dare bring the young lady to see it.” ‘* I wish to ask you one question: were you really pur- sued by a man when you came running here?”’ °° T was. ’” ** What has become of the man?” ** I do not know.’’ ** Why did he pursue you?” ** He was one of the parties who answered the advertise- ment concerning the trunk.’’ ** Will you take me to see the trunk?’ 66é Yes. 33 ** When?” ** I will meet you to-night. ” ** Why not take me there now?” -**T can not go now.” ** Why not?” “* T have my reasons. ’’ ** I will not follow until after I learn whether or not you meet me. If you do not meet me, I shall proceed. ?”? ‘*¢ And what will you do?” ** T shall put officers on your track and arrest you!?? ** Do not threaten me.’’ **I do not mean to threaten you, but I can prove owner ship of the trunk, and I am determined to gain possession of it!’ ** Again I warn you!’’ ** Against what?’ ‘* Not to follow me. reason to regret it.’’ ** Will you tell me who you are?” **’'You would not believe me.’’ Wile. ** T can not tell you now; I will some other time; mean- time, you must heed my warning. [I tell you there is something terrible in the possession of that trunk. Its owner was murdered!” ‘‘ Tts owner was murdered. ** The original owner.’ ** How do you know?”’ ** You will learn to-night how I know. Good-bye now.”” The detective glided away. The man with whom our hero had been talking was the most mystified man that ever ran into the midst of a strange adventure. Meantime, our hero, the détective, had If you do, you certainly will have