The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWIN DETECTIVES. 101 “* Yes, darling, mad. She might have ruled Montrose Hall instead of the countess—been a countess herself—but the earl put her off, and she had not sense to see her ih * ‘¢ And what has changed her?” ‘Nothing. I found out she had the necessary papers, to establish her claim and my claim, and I took possession of them.” ‘‘ How did you get them?” asked Jean, in a low tone. ‘“My mother was asleep, and I took iia out of her trunk.” This was true, but Jean knew the whole story. She also knew of the existence of the other papers, which rendered those he had stolen valueless. But don’t you think there is something wrong, or your mother would have taken some step when your father mar- ried again?” . Jean looked him straight in the face. She saw that he changed color, and she knew Mrs. Hall’s story was true. He was trying to deceive her; she would have no mercy upon him. ‘‘No, dear girl, there is nothing wrong. Now I'll tell you what I wish you to do. I can’t send my mother to Eng- land, for I don’t want her to know that I took the papers. I can’t go myself at present. So we will be married, and my wife will go home and press my claim. Wouldn’t you like to be Countess of Cuthbert?” It was the second time that question had been asked her, but with a widely different meaning. «Would I like to be a countess? Oh, yes.” ‘-And you will go and do this far me? Will it not be splendid to have my wife bring me my birthright, which I have been robbed of so long?” He took her hand in his, and sought to press a kiss upon her cheek, but she drew away from him. ‘‘Why so shy, Jean, my darling?” (E(ol nal e 00 SS (ele)