Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

. <~ -f v4 ‘ MANFRED’S QUEST, I tell you now I am a strange being. I know more than you dream, but I am going to show you the trunk, all the game; that is, if you have the courage to go and see it.’’ **T have the courage, but you said you saw me all the time. ”’ ““T did. I can tell you just where you went, and just whom you saw, and all you said.” °° You can?” ** T can. ”’ ** I wish you would. ’’ ** No, it would not do.” ** Why not?” ‘* You will become scared ait will not go with me.’ *“*T will go with you to see the trunk, even esrext you may prove you are the devil’s wife!”’ ‘* If I thought you would not be scared, I would surprise you.” ** I do not scare.”’ ‘IT know all about you.’’ ‘* You know all about me?” Ae Yes. 33 ** ‘What do you know?”’ ** All about you.’’ ** What do you know?”’ repeated ssssireresae™ ** You are employed to aid in a conspiracy.”” Saunders gave a start. ‘*T see; you are engaged in a conspiracy yourself.” The woman laughed under her veil, and Saunders re- solved that when a good opportunity offered he would rend that veil aside and behold the face it concealed. The game went on. CHAPTER XXXT, THE two who had so strangely met, were beginning to understand each other, and although the woman still kept her veil drawn down, each was throwing aside the mask. ** You say you know me?’’ 66 Yes. 7”? ** Who am I?” ** You are a detective, and your name is Saunders. ” The man let fall a muttered oath. “* You are employed by a man named Stevens; you had along talk with him to-day after I scared you out of the beer saloon, where you acted in such a manner as to make the bar-tender think you were crazy.” The two at the moment were standing under a gas. light, and Saunders said in an agitated tone: ** ‘Will you remove your veil?’’ ** ‘Why should I?” “* Because after all you have said I desire to see your face. ”’ ** You will not recognize me.’’ ** I must see your face. ” ‘* You can not see my face until you see the trunk. ”? ** Then you will show your face?’’ es Yes. 33 ** Why not now?” ** Tt will scare you.”’ ‘*T am not easily scared. I insist upon seeing your face now. ~” ‘* You can not.”’ **T will!’’” , ** Be careful!’’ **] will see your face!”” ** You insist??? ~ Feo." ** Then I shall leave you. ”’ Saunders suddenly reached forward, seized the veil and tore it aside. ‘The face was revealed; the disguistd detect- ive had gotten himself up well. He was to all appearances: a lady, pretty and saucy. The man Saunders glared. °° Well, you have seen my face.’’ ** I see your face.”’ ** Do you know me?’ 66 No. 33 ** ‘Then I can lower my yeil?’’ ¢é Yes. bP **T am not bound now to show you the trunk. ” ** You can do as you please. ”’ “* T please. ”’ °° Now, what is your pleasure?”’ ‘“*T will show the trunk unless you are afraid of woman, and dare not go and see it.”’ ‘* Where is the trunk?’’ ** Not far from here.” ** You are up te some game.’’” °° So are you.’ ** You admit you are up toa game?” éé Y eg. 33 ** What is your game?’’ ** IT am seeking the real owner of the trunk.” ** You do not believe I am the real owner of the trunk?™ ** No, I do not.”’ ** Why do you show it to me??? yy... ** T have a reason. ”’ ‘* What is your reason?” ** Shall I tell you?” - é¢ Yes.’ b ‘* I wish to solve a mystery.’’ ** What mystery?” ‘* ‘The mystery of the lady who was with you this morn- ing.”’ °* What mystery is there about the lady??? ** She may be the owner of the trunk. ”’ °° She may be??? é¢ Yes. > Ps ** Why do you say so?”’ ** She resembles the man who owned the treasure suffi- ciently to be his daughter.”’ Saunders uttered an exclamation of amazement; the lat- ter declaration of the mysterious woman was the most ree markable one she had let fall. **Qne word,” he asked. ‘* Are you really anxious te find the owner of the trunk??? é¢ I am. 3? ‘* Do you know anything of the party to whom the trank originally belonged?’’ ‘* I have already betrayed such knowledge.’’ ** Will you tell me who you are?’’ ‘* No, not now.’? ** When??? ‘* After you have seen the trunk.” At that moment there came a signal call. Saunders recognized it, and knew that his confederates were on hand. The man was bewildered and mystified, and yet he was sat- isfied that he was talking to the party who really held the mysterious trunk; and what is more he felt also a suspicion creeping through his mind that the woman might be hon- — est and really in search of the owner of the trunk. ‘* ‘There is something very remarkable about you,’’ he °° I told you there was. ” ** Have you any personal interest in the trunk or ifg cone tents?’’ eveye