Manfred's Quest: Or, The Mystery of a Trunk — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

MANFRED’S QUEST. 66 How?” The woman spoke in avitated tones. ** Clear the way to the fortune, and then rid me of a hated incumbrance, and you become my wife.” ** You mean what you say?’’ **I do, and my words are plain.” ** ¥ shall remove the girl first?” ee Yes.’? ** You will marry Lucy?’’ €¢ Yes. 7” ** T shall then remove Lucy?”’ 46 Von. 29 ** And you will marry me?’’ ** As I live I will keep my word.”’ ** It shall be done. ’’ : ; **T will take my own way, and I will report to dnegee ** When shall I see you again?” ** I will await a summons from you.”’ The man and woman separated, and our hero fell to the -—woman’s trail, and as he walked along Manfred muttered: **'This is wonderful. I am the girl’s good genius. I almost feel like a fairy. ’’ The woman proceeded along until she reached a certain street, when she fixed her eyes on a certain house. The detective was watching all her movements, and was satisfied he had found the hiding-place of the mysterious owner of the trunk. The house was a small prdcahant building, stood back from the street, and appeared to be occupied by a small family. The veiled woman watched the house for many hours, and at length an idea struck the detective. He muttered: **T must make a bold move.’’ Manfred took his bearings and started to carry outa scheme that had entered his mind. He went around to the street in the rear of the small house and found a build- ing with an alley-way running between it and the adjoining house. ** That just suits me,” he said. The detective managed to get through the alley-way, and stole to the rear of the little frame house by passing to the rear of the yard into which the alley opened. There was no yard in the rear of the little frame house; the win- dows overlooked the yard where our hero lay concealed. It was twilight, and Manfred determnined that he must act rapidly. He took a glance at the windows of the little frame house, and there were revealed to him the outlines of a female figure. Our hero was a good climber and a bold, daring’ man. His plan was speedily formed, and in a few minutes and in a sneak-thief manner he gained the roof of the little frame. house, and he soon managed to open the decaying scuttle cover and easily let himself down into the house. He had taken the proper bearings, and passed to the door of the room where he had seen the female figure. He stood a moment undetermined as to his course. He did not wish to disturb the girl in an abrupt manner lest she might give an alarm, but after a moment’s thought he rapped gently on the door, and a sweet voice said: ‘** Come in.’ The detective opened the door and stepped across the threshold. ‘There was a light in the room. He expected to hear the girl make an outcry, but she did not, only a look of surprise and wonderment passed over her beautiful face, and so the detective recognized her. . He had seen it before under strange and startling circumstances. He had seen it but an instant, but he recognized it. He had found the mysterious owner of the mysterious trunk at last, and the first words that fell from her lips were thrilling and strange. She showed no excitement, but said, in a calm > voice: ** Well, you have found me at last.” CHAPTER XXXIX., THE detective was taken all aback, and in a surprised tone said: eS ‘* You recognize me?” 66 I o6.°" “Who am I?” ‘The gentleman I met on the train coming from © iiesind: 33 ‘The gentleman whom you so neatly evaded?”’ gan oats ** How did you know I was searching for you??? °* It was an idea I had.’’ ** An idea?’’ 66 Yes. 7? ‘¢ ‘Whence came the ideat’’ ‘* IT knew some one was searching for me.” ** You did?”’ 66 Yes.’? é¢ How??? ** T saw the advertisements in the papers.’’ ** And how do you know it was I put them theref” ** I did not know it until a moment ago.”’ ‘** And how was it revealed?’’ ‘* By your presence here. ”’ ** You are a wonderful girl. ” The lady remained silent an instant, but, later on, saad: ** Ts it not true?’’ ‘* Yes, it is true I have been searching for you.”’ ** Why did you seek me?’’ : **T am your friend. ”’’ ** My friend ?’’ cé Yes. 33 The girl laughed in a bitter manner, and said: ‘* T have no friends; but I am resolute and determined. Ido not fear any more. I will not stand this life ofa fugitive any longer!’’ ‘* Miss Silver,”’ said the detective, ‘‘ there is no reason why you should lead the life of a fugitive.’’ The girl uttered a cry, sprung to her feet, and ap- proached our hero, and clutching his arm, said: _** What did you say?”’ ** Shall I repeat it??? ¢¢ Yes.’? ‘* I said: © Miss Silver, there is no need for your being a@ fugitive.’ ”’ ** You call me Miss Silver?’’ €é Yes. 93 ** Where did you hear that name?’’ ‘‘ It was your father’s name. Your name is Mary Mar- tin Silver, ’’ ‘* ‘This is wonderful,’’ said the girl. °° No, it is not wonderful.’’ ** Who are you?”’ **T am your friend.’’ °* My frierd?’’ repeated the girl. °* Yes, your friend; and I come from a nearer and dearer friend. ’’ ** You come from a nearer and dearer friend?” ¢é ] do.’’ |