Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED’S QUEST. his companion into an elegantly furnished parlor. ‘The chandeliers shed a blaze of light on furniture of the most rich and massive make, and dric-d-brac of every description was scattered on every hand. Saunders looked around in amazement, and at length muttered: ** This is wonderful. ”’ é¢ von’? ** Your friend is rich?” o6 Yes. 33 ** Does your friend know about the trunk???’ é¢ Yes. > ** He has no inducement to retain what does not belong to him?”’ ** No; and now listen to me; I propose first to take you into my wonder-room and show you some strange sights.”’ ‘*T came here to see the trunk. ” : ** ‘You shall see the trunk.’’ ‘* I do not desire to see anything else. ”’ ‘‘ Very well, we will not go to the wonder-room yet.” The detective led Saunders up a grand staircase to a room on the second floor and ushered him in. ‘‘ Take a seat, sir,’’ said our hero. The room was but dimly lighted. Saunders was becom- ing quite nervous and uneasy. ‘There was a weirdness in his surroundings which played sad havoc with his nervous system. He took a seat, and the veiled woman said: ** Wait!’ and disappeared. She left the room and the door closed behind her. Saunders sat some moments, and then rose from his seat and wandered around the room, pacing to and fro, lost in deep thought. ‘* Where will this all end’’ he said; markable adventure of my life.” Meantime, Manfred descended the stairs. He had changed his disguise, and passed out to the garden sur- rounding the house, and a moment later he espied two dark figures lurking in the shadow of the trees. | He advanced, and demanded: ** Who is there?” A man stepped out. ** Who are you?’? demanded Manfred. ** Do you live in this house?’ ‘§ Yes, I do.” ** Are you the proprietor?’’ 66 No,” 3 ** A guest?” 6é No. 33 ‘* What then?” ** Sure, I’m a servant?” ** You are a servant?” €é T am. 33 ** Who is the owner of that house?’’ ** Shall I take you in and introduce you to my mistress?’’ ** The owner is a lady?’’ 6¢ Yes. 33 §* Who lives with her?’’ ** And who are you, a robber?’’ ** No; I am a gentleman.’’ ** You are a gentleman?’’ éé Ven? : ‘* Gentlemen do not go prowling around the gardens of other people after midnight asking questions.’’ **T can explain why I am here.’’ ** Can you?”’ oe al **T can.” 38 ** Well, please do so.’ ‘itis the most re- present you. 41 ‘* I am looking for a missing person; and now see here, I will give you fifty dollars to answer a few questions. ”’ ‘* You will give me fifty dollars?” 6é Yes. 33 ‘* You can have no good purpose when you offer me fifty; dollars.” ** TI am a police officer. ” °° Oh, you are?’’ oan ** Well?”? ** T have reason to believe that the party I seek is in that: house. ”’ ** There is no one there that you seek. ” ** T have reason to believe she is there. ’’ ** You seek a lady?” eas ** It may be my mistress?” ** Tt may be.”’ ‘* Come, and I will take you right into the house and I know my mistress has not yet retired. ’’ CHAPTER XXXII. STEVENS approached the pretended servant, and saids. ‘* See here, my man, I am a detective officer. ”’ ** Well?” **T am on secret duty. ”’ ** Indeed. ” ** T can arerest you. ”’ ‘* You can arrest me?’’ ¢¢ Yes. 33 ‘* ‘What for?” ‘‘ Well, on the charge of extraordinary emergency.” °* T never heard of that charge.’’ ‘*'No; but it is a privilege detectives have; but I do net desire to arrest you, unless I am compelled to do so.’’ ** You can arrest me if you choose. ’’ ‘*'No; but you must answer me a few questions. ’’ ** 1 am willing to answer your questions. ” **T want to know something about your mistress.”’ ** It’s little I can tell you. ”’ €é Why pe? ** T’ve only been in her service a week.’’ ** Only a week?” ‘Yes; and I do not intend to remain.”’ ‘You do not intend to remain??? — ae No. 23 °¢ Why not?’’ > £*T don’t like the service. ”’ ** Why do you not like the service?’’ ‘* It’s a queer sort of a house.”’ ** You’re right, it’s a queer house, and I do not blame you for wishing to leave it; are you looking for another place?’’ ** IT may be, sir.” ‘*T can get a place for you.”’ ** Well, you are very kind.”’ ‘* And now listen; I wish to enter that house secretly.” ** Secretly?’ ’ ¢é Yes. I? . ‘*' Then it’s a thief you are?” ‘* No; I am a detective. ”’ ** And you want to enter the house secretly?” ‘“-Yes; we detectives sometimes have to work in the dark. ’’ ** Tt’s dark enough for you to-night.’’ **T am speaking metaphorically. ”’