The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-28

| Let me once lay my hand fariy on you, the
devil himself shall not deliver you.n
"No excitement no excitement" interposes
the attorney, laying his long fingers on Marks
knee, in the most affable manner possible.
eve must preserve our GOODNESS or we shall
ruin ALP
"But you do not know-you can never
know continues Mark, his countenance
growing deadly pale as he speaks, "what
have undergone, what | have done, to obtain
possession of that wench would forget it
myself if could. And yet you ask me to
keep cool. Yes | am cool, ou.wsrdly but
here, here n-he strikes his breast hard
there is q furnace, do you sep
He stops short and starts TO his feet, listen
ing.
| "Did you hear nothing?n no asks.
al am not sure, replies the attorney; "what
was it On
| "The noise came from that closet behind
you,n responds the other.
| Rats rats,n answers Gsetano. But como,
Monsieur Aveling," he pursues, I" do not wish
to know any secrets and shall therefore not
| attempt to put construction upon your mys-
terions words One would think you had CON-
mitted murder, or something IS bad. En-
why, what ails you9"
| He looks at Marx with amazement. He is
pale and motionless, and q heavy perspiration
battles his CHASTITY countenance. He grasps
the back Of the chair, which he ciings to con-
vulsiyely, as if to preserve himself from falling
Presently he passes his hand across his damp
forehead, and drops into his seat
ait is past 1t is over !' ho gasps. Do
ot,mind It, Monsieur PeliigriniI" he continues;
al am subject to these attacks. You were
saying 81
| Gaetano sees that the composure is forced,
| ard that Aveiipg's mind is Fixed upon some cir
cumssance in his life that will not bear the
light He forbears, however, from dwelling
upon his clients absence of mind, and adroitly
changes the theme.
| al was Observing he says, "that as matters
now stand, Monsieur Avelng you have relin-
pushed ali claim upon Monsieur Wray's prop
ertyn
dEh! What?n exclaims Mark. "Not OF
aun
acknowledgements of course, resumes
| Gaetano, Gas between our two selves, but viz
tually in relation to third parties. | merely
remind you OF this because | shall have to
make good my claim against Monsieur Wray,
and the court viii examine things very closely.
In answer, therefore, 10 your request to hold
the mcrtgage-deeds, | am compelled, for my
own securitys sake and for your own, to keep
them until Monsieur Wray is safely Gagged, and
the court has pronounced the debt to be just.
You underestimate
| Perfectly" replies Mark. "There is only
this slight incoavenence-that though have
a copy of them, so long as those deeds them
claim upon Wray which i could substantiate;
and, should anything happen to you, or to
them, my position would become serious."
| "AHons done" exclaimed Gaetano. g In two
or three days the affair win be settled Mon
sisur Wray will be at CEchy ~ the debt will
have been admitted by him, and proved you
will have secured Mademoiselle, and can then
restore you the docurlente"-
"And you will have earned the sum we have
agreed upop,u says Mark. "Let it be So then;
only despatch tho business, for it drage, and it
is--it is not pleasant"
"You have heard my orders to Martin" re-
marks Gaetano. GAS soon as the deeds ere
coried, you may lock upon your sfair as set
tledn
@There is no fear of their leaving Paris,
oh 2" inquiries Marx.
al have seen to that,n replies the attorney
"They are closely watched, aud, as Monsieur
Wray is foreigner and debtor, have laid
an embargo upon his passport. The ponce
will not now lose sight of him"
The arrangement appears satisfactory to
Mark, for sinister expression OF JOY for mo-
ment lights up his countenance, without, how
Il.
IDENTITY pleased with himself and rubs his long
fingers together till their joints crack. He ex-
changes glances of intelligence with his client
but for some reason, they cannot look each
other frankly IN the face. AS ii by mutual
consent. and In obedience to somo thought or
impulse common to both, they suddenly color
up, and lock down as the floor. There ensuee
an embarrassing pause, which is abruptly ter
minated by Mark, who starts to bis feet, and,
taking his hat prepares to leave the den.
"Ah! you are going, then :" observes the
attorney.
"Unless you have anything farther to say,"
replies Mark
III believe we have settled everything, as far
as it is possible" answers Gaetano. "We meet
here the day after tomorrow, as agreed, pre-.
vious to effecting the arrest Of Monsieur Wray."
understood" rejoins Mark, briefly Au
rcvoir, Monsieur PelIigrini."
The attorney rises TO conduct his client to
tho door, but the latter does not once turn his
head. He reaches the door fret, opens 1t, and
goes out, without even responding 20 the part
ing salutation of the attorney.
Il do not half like this business" mutters
Gaetano to himself in his own tongue, as he
resumes his place ct the table "There is
more behind than | altogether care to know.
Then the abduction of this girl! 1t is a bust
ness tnat may coNuuCs 20 pOs~s-Vao @o A0"oS
to the galleys"
His long fingers nervously clutch the deeds,
as he turns the folios over and over. His brow
becomes puckered, and the corners of his
mouth are contractej. His cogitations are
manifsstly far from being encouraging, or even
pleasant. But thoy are protraoted, neverthe-
less
aAh, bahlD he ezciaims ct last. "Who is
to know The sum is heavy, and worth try
ing for. This Monsieur Ayeling was wise in
being generous, or q
He looks round. Has he heard the rats
again He listens. Nothing! All is still.
GAnd yes,n he says, in low voice.
could have sworn i heard a noise IN that
closet"
He rises and goes up to the eoor OF Zsch's
hidirg-place. He puts bis ear close TO II, and
listens attentively He then tries the door, pus
it is fast. Where is the key?
He looks about--on tho table; ou the man
, tel-shelf; in Martins closet; on the shelves
8 everywhere. Wherever is the key!
He takes bunch out of his pocket, ct last
and tries several. Not one fits the look. lie
6 is still trying when Martin comes in.
"Ah, you arrive in time" exclsims the at.
torney. "Where is the key Of this closet?"
@Whars The matterln asks Martin, gasp
ing for breath.
"Nothing, only want the key Of this closet. "
: @Pye lost itn replies Martin "Couldn'i
: find it this morning. What do you went"
ave heard strange noise, twice or thrice
beren responds the attorney. " But, after all
perhaps it is only rats
|. aRa.su exclaims Martin. "Rats for Ger
Ia fold ma